SILAY City has its share of celebrating the International Women's Month by reflecting on the women empowerment and the need for the sector to have shots of the Covid-19 vaccine.
The celebration was held at Silay Public Plaza on March 9 and was graced by the city's Chief Executive Mayor Mark Andrew Golez, Vice Mayor Tom Ledesma, Councilors Ryan Gamboa, Dennis Velez, Ramon Celebre, Andrew Penuela, Ma. Delmar Mariposque and Lyndon Bernardo who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Women and Family Relations.
Women's organization like Soroptomist, Barangay Council for Women officers and members, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, PNP, government employees, Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital doctors, Nikki Cares Foundation and women's advocates gathered to celebrate the Women's Month which zeroed in the welfare of women, an empowered sector nowadays.
Mayor Golez said women in some countries are still discriminated against for their gender. They are not given the same rights as men as they are still paid less, they are expected to cook, clean, etc. Women empowerment is needed in our society as it gives them the equal right to participate in education, society, the economy, and even politics.
"Women must be involved in our community as they are encouraged to choose their religion, language preference, work, and other activities. When women lead, we can see positive results. Some of the most efficient and exemplary responses to the Covid-19 pandemic were led by women. Young women are also stepping up as they are at the forefront of diverse and inclusive movements online and on the streets for social justice, climate change, and equality in all parts of the world," he said.
Golez has recognized all the amazing, beautiful and resilient Silaynon women who have contributed so much to the success of Silay City.
Councilor Bernardo said they want to curb the incidence of violence against women. The government implements a program that protects women. One of the topics that they discussed with the women of Silay was about the need for the residents to get Covid-19 vaccines.
It is important that women enjoy the love and respect in our community as everything will fall into place with this condition, he said.
On the other hand, former Bacolod City Councilor Atty. Jocelle Sigue said that the Covid-19 has brought out the strength of women. It gave them the opportunity to step back and draw their strength from themselves.
"Women should know the laws protecting the rights of women. You don't need to be a lawyer to know the laws. One should just understand the basic elements of it and our role to help to spread. Women have good collaboration skills where we can work together with other sectors, government and private organizations," she said.
"What will not destroy us will make us even stronger, " she added.
Doctors Sedie Ramos and Regina Buenaflor who are both Pediatricians also helped enlighten the women of Silay relative to the Covid-19 vaccine.
Dr. Ramos said Covid-19 is a global problem that resulted in a global economic crisis.
In 2002, the world suffered from Sars (Coronavirus) and then Mers Cov in 2012.
Since then, studies were made for the development of a vaccine which was fast-tracked during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Vaccines are needed as we cannot afford to put up more Intensive Care Units. We need to have vaccines to protect ourselves and our family. All medicines have side effects. This vaccine is meant to develop antibodies to fight against the infection like the coronavirus. If one will get infected, he will not suffer severely because of the protection of the vaccine," she said.
She added that it is good to think of the protection that the vaccine will provide than its perceived disadvantage.
"We need to have the vaccines because it works. It will protect us and our family," she said.