2012 National Women’s Month





In consideration of the recent disasters and calamities experienced by the country and the impact of climate change observed and experienced globally, the theme for the 2012 National Women’s Month Celebration is “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility”. The theme:

  • highlights that disaster risk reduction (DRR) is everyone’s responsibility. Moreover, as the primary duty bearer, it is the government’s obligation to ensure that measures are instituted at the national and local levels in order to reduce disaster risks and build resilient communities;
  • underscores the role of women as powerful agents of change in relation to disaster risk reduction (DRR). Women’s indigenous knowledge on climate change and disaster, because of their responsibilities and experiences, should be utilized in DRR and climate change adaptation strategies; and
  • is in consonance with the continuing national and local efforts to advocate for the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which started in last year’s Women’s Month Celebration. For this year, the focus is on MDG7 on ensuring environmental sustainability.

Objectives

General objective: To help build gender-responsive resilient communities that are responsible and accountable, and prepared for any disaster that may come their way.

Specific objectives:

  • Raise awareness of national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations and communities on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and gender and climate change issues (e.g., disaster preparedness and roles of government agencies, women’s participation, etc.)
  • Generate commitment of local government units (LGUs) for the preparation and implementation of their gender-responsive DRR and climate change adaptation plans; and
  • Encourage women’s participation in government programs geared towards disaster preparedness and building resilient communities using government’s budget.

Activities

March 8, National Women’s Day Celebration. “Potting session” or seedling preparation (i.e., transferring of seedlings to individual black plastic bags) as part of the National Greening Program. All NGAs and LGUs shall conduct simultaneous “potting session” or tree-planting (if feasible), in their communities.


Activities to highlight women’s involvement in disaster preparedness, risk reduction, recovery, rehabilitation and climate change adaptation strategies – (women in command; firewomen, rescue crew, indigenous knowledge on climate change and DRR, etc).


Magna Carta of Women (MCW) Information Caravan. Information caravan to raise stakeholders’ awareness on the MCW in various disaster- prone areas in the country and to generate commitment and support for the implementation of MCW.


Conduct of the following:
Consciousness-raising activities on gender and climate change adaptation and information dissemination on disaster risk reduction

Integrate gender perspectives in disaster risk reduction policies, plans and programs and involve women in the planning and strategizing processes
Preparation of LGU plans and budgets for disaster risk reduction and management (consultation and planning with stakeholders)


Note: RA 10121 authorizes all departments, bureaus, offices and agencies of the government to use a portion of their appropriations to implement projects designed to address disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) activities.


Other Activities
Issuances of Memorandum Circulars from DILG and CSC, DepEd and CHED Media Coverage; Interviews