EIGHTY-THREE women groups gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day at Barangay 24 covered court in Cagayan de Oro City Wednesday, March 8.
Various women’s development committees from 80 barangays of Cagayan de Oro City including women police, persons with disabilities group and persons with disabilities (PWD) group joined in the nationwide celebration of recognizing women’s contribution in the community.
Following the early morning Holy Mass and a motorcade dedicated for the International Women's Month, a party celebration was held for Kagay-anon women to highlight their contributions to society especially as mothers, workers, students and leaders.
The celebration also served as an information drive about the existing rights and privileges that women can now enjoy according to the law. The event's keynote speaker Judge Jerlie Luis Requerme especially discussed the recently passed laws that benefit women especially in the workplace.
"It is imperative for us to understand that we should not treat and accept ourselves as second class citizens but to have the confidence to stand for our rights and privileges," said Requerme.
One reason for women to celebrate according to them is the approval of the bill seeking to increase the maternity leave period to 100 days with pay.
House Bill 4113 or the proposed "100-Day Maternity Leave Law" also proposes an unpaid 30-day extension for female workers both in the government and private sector.
Requerme said this is a good advancement from the current allowable maternity leave which is only up 60 to 78 days.
"Aside from this, women workers can also give their maternity leave to their relatives up to the fourth degree of civil consanguinity. Meaning, if you have a sister, a tita, or even a first cousin in the workplace, you can give some days of your maternity leave to them," Requerme said.
This bill has passed the final reading in the senate and is only awaiting the signature of the president.
Requerme said that participation of women in the celebration is a good sign that Kagay-anon women are heard and are given importance in Cagayan de Oro's community.
Even women from PWD and the senior citizens have been given a space in the celebration which she thinks is a good sign of the huge attention that the government is giving to women.
Participants of the event expressed their satisfaction especially with the newly passed bill.
Esrellita Corazon Ocular, a mother currently working in the Department of Justice, said that she has finally seen efforts from the government to make the needs of women workers a priority.
"Kani jud ebidensya nga ang mga efforts sa mga bae sa senado ug sa tanan nga nagrepresent sa mga kababaihan nga nadunggan na ta. Kay dili man ma.igo ang 60-70 days pag nagbuntis ka kinahanglan jud nimo ug time. With this, at least daghan nang time ang maihatag ng mga kababaihan sa ilang kaugalingon. (This is a proof that the efforts of women in the senate and also all of those who represented women have heard us. Because the 60-70 days leave was really not enough for a pregnant woman who needs more time. With this, at least more time will be given to women for themselves)," Ocular said.