The Negros Occidental provincial government launched the Gender and Development Awards and Incentives Project at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, Wednesday, September 15.
The event was attended by GAD advocates and women stakeholders from the different provincial government departments and offices, and government agencies, and non-government organizations.
The primary objective of the incentives project is to search, document, and recognize Negrense women and men, groups and institutions, who have either worked or contributed to gender equality and women empowerment through their advocacy and actions, a press release from the Capitol said.
A “Because Women Count” 2021 Awarding Ceremony was also held as part of the activity, that recognized the speakers, hosts and moderators of the webinar series on GAD data and issues.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the event acknowledges the merit, significance and tenacity of the Negrense women.
“This GAD Awards and Incentives Project are not meant to give power to women, for women are already powerful. Rather, this project is meant to acknowledge such power and to recognize their valuable and consequential contribution to nation building,” said Gov. Lacson.
He said that at present, women are thriving in all sectors of society and are succeeding in careers and endeavors that women from decades past can only imagine.
He also thanked the speakers, hosts, and moderators of “Because Women Count”, for the continued support to the GAD advocacies of the province, and urged all advocates to nominate and help the province look for the outstanding and deserving Negrense women based on different categories.
Present at the activity were Board Member Juvy Pepello, OWWA OIC Regional Director Rizza Joy Moldes, Executive Assistant to the Governor and PIO OIC Charina Magallanes – Tan, EA IV and Provincial GAD Focal Point System Action Officer, Marie June Castro, EA for the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) Affairs, and Julie Ann Bedrio, among others.*