Empowered women talk for women empowerment

Four guest women speakers shared their timely experiences and expertise on topics that inform, reform, and transform some of the things that we know and should know about women during a  special BaliTalk episode last Wednesday, March 23.

Police Major Ria Fernandez Tacderan, the Deputy Chief of Police in Lingayen Police Station, tackled Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (VAWC), what does the law entails, when to seek help and who to look for, and what can be filed against the abusers of this law.

"Huwag po natin limitahan ang mga sarili natin. Marami po tayo pwede gawin to reach out. We have a shared responsibility. Kahit ano pa gender natin or gender preference natin, still it is very important that we hold hands together, and we help one another,” pressed Tacderan as she encouraged each and every one to be accountable in reporting abusive encounters and situations, whether as a witness or as someone abused. 

In her talk “Empowered Women, Empower Women,” Ms. Jhoanne Celeste S. Macanas named some empowered women in various fields from our country and across the globe, and highlighted that true empowerment is achieved once we are successful in empowering others.

And such empowerment starts within, “You are your number one supporter. How can you be empowered if you don't take care of yourself? Embracing the process is always beautiful,” questions left  by the faculty member of the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Ms. Stephanie Ladero, UCU law student and alumna,  emphasized the old and new perceptions of society about women, and the need to change those perceptions.

However, Ladero pointed out that gender equality is not about women overpowering men nor about just being educated.

“We women shouldn’t desire to overpower men but to overpower ourselves to become empowered. And an empowered woman is not just educated, but is educated and embodies respect,” she noted.

Board of Regents Secretary Ma. Jeazrielle F. Magno firmly took the ground on women’s rights.

"If you respect a woman, you recognize her rights as a woman,” remarked Magno, during her talk on Republic Act 9710: The Magna Carta of Women.

“Obligado po tayo dito sa ating bansa na magkaroon ng batas na naglalayong protektahan ang ating mga kababaihan. As one of the resolutions, we have the Magna Carta of Women 2009. It is a comprehensive human rights law for women that seeks to eliminate discrimination by recognizing, respecting, protecting, fulfilling, and promoting their welfare,” the BOR Secretary stated.

The celebration of women’s month this year with the theme, “Agenda ng Kababaihan tungo sa Kaunlaran” was initiated by the UCU Student Council with its partners, the Center for Student Leadership and Development (CSLD) and the UCU-Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.