AROUND 4,000 women from 182 barangays, government offices, civic groups and private sector joined the Women's March led by the Davao City Government on Wednesday, March 8, to celebrate the 108th Celebration of International Women's day.
The march started around 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Integrated Gender and Development Division head and Women's March organizer Lorna Mandin said more participants from Paquibato, Marilog and other far-flung areas joined the event.
Marites Caliboy, vice president of the Women's Organization from Tapak, Paquibato District, said they departed from Sitio Butal at 5 p.m. Tuesday and reached Barangay Lasang at Wednesday midnight.
"We have not slept because of our excitement to come here. We are happy because if I did not join our women's organization, I cannot come here and join the International Women's Day," Caliboy said.
Caliboy said the Tapak Women's Organization is implementing its own projects and that they sent their president to attend seminars, where the knowledge is also passed on to them.
Lorna Cascato, Women's Council president of Barangay Mudiang in Bunawan, appreciated the Women's March.
"This event is nice because you can really experience [and see] women join together bringing their banner per barangay," Cascato said.
Aside from women, several men supported the event.
Barangay Mudiang councilor Evaristo Cabulenas said he was there in the event to support the women's programs because men's help is also necessary for these programs to succeed.
"This is in support of the women, because it is also unfair if no barangay official will support and encourage them to participate in their activities," Cabunelas said in the vernacular.
Mandin added the increased participation of men this year is a good sign of gender equality.
"Male participants increased this year, so this is new. Usually every Women's Day is only composed of women. But now even men join wearing shirts and march with us, this means that even men are now helping in the women's campaign," she said.
Mandin said that the improvement of economic status of women remains an utmost concern and to address this they have submitted a resolution to different agencies of the government including the City Government to address these issues.
Some 300 participants from different progressive groups and academe also joined the march.
Several women leaders also attended the event including Gabriela representatives, Davao City Councilor Lea Librado Yap, peace panel member Lawyer Angela Librado-Trinidad, and other women leaders.
Gabriela's third nominee Bai Indalya said they are campaigning for land ownership, livelihood, and continued peace talks for the benefit of women.
Mae Ann Sapar, spokesperson of Gabriela, also said the peace talks should be pushed as the women and children are primarily sectors affected when caught between wars of different sides.
Councilor Yap also hoped that women will finally achieve what they aim and will be free from all kinds of exploitation and abuse.
"Pangayuon kay President Duterte ang pagpadayon sa peace talks (We also want to ask the President to continue peace talks)," Yap said.
Being the only female member of the government negotiating panel, Trinidad said the celebration of the Women's Day is still relevant as women still raise concerns on livelihood and health services.
"Though we have a law on reproductive health, we still have to work hard for it to become reality," she said, adding that women's involvement in tackling the issue of peace must be enhanced.
Librado said women's interest is at stake in the issue of socio-economic reforms.
The councilor hoped that she can carry the issue of women especially the issue of gender equality to the peace table.