As a way of showing support to the observance of the National Women’s Month, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Office XII under the leadership of Ms Josephine Cabrido - Leysa, spearheaded various activities as part of the opening salvo of the celebration.

A lecture on healthy lifestyle was given by Nutrition Officer Leah Fe Utlang from the Provincial Nutrition Council XII to encourage all the DILG XII employees to opt for a healthier, productive and happier life. Utlang said that ‘everyone can make a choice between being healthy and otherwise’ and that they can start with ‘mind-setting’ for better health.

After the lecture, a bloodletting and blood-typing activity was facilitated by the Philippine Red Cross-South Cotabato Chapter wherein 14 units of 450-cc bags were filled by the eager blood donors led by the Regional Director herself.

She encouraged everyone who were present to ‘do the right thing, strive for the best and show people you care’.

“This is our way of doing something for others- this bloodletting activity. This is a good start for us to show we care”, Leysa was quoted as saying.

The National Women’s Month celebration is being held every March of each year and is a part of the worldwide observance of the International Women’s Day (IWD). This year’s theme ‘We make change work for women” has been used since 2017 until 2022, highlights the empowerment of women who are active contributors to and claimholders of development.

“WE” stands for ‘women empowerment’ while ‘Make Change Work’ (MCW) directly refers to the Magna Carta for Women’. MCW’s implementation in all levels can indeed make change work for women. “CHANGE” can also be stand for “Compassionate and Harmonized Actions & Networks for Gender Equality”.

“We have the color purple for this Celebration but seeing red, through our bloodletting activity, is a welcome thing”, added Dir. Leysa.