Aklan Provincial Women’s Congress launched

Aklan Province—The Aklan Gender and Development Commission (AGADC), in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of the Aklan Province and the Philippine Commission on Women-AECID Magna Carta of Women Project (PCW-AECID MCW Project), launched the first Provincial Women’s Congress in Aklan, that aims to organize the Provincial Council of Women and later federate women’s organizations throughout the province.

The Women’s Congress recognizes the vital role of women in helping the Aklan Provincial Government reach out and further empower women’s organizations in the community.

Some 81 women leaders from 17 municipalities elected among themselves the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Provincial Council of Women last December 17, 2014. This Provincial Council of Women, led by duly-elected chairperson Jindra Linda Demeterio of Batan LGU, will represent women’s organizations in the AGADC. Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo swore in the newly-elected Provincial Council of Women.

Maranatha Estrada-Vargas, the Local Area Coordinator of the PCW-AECID MCW Project oriented women leaders on gender and development and basic gender concepts.

Aklan Province receives capacity development, technical and funding support from the PCW-AECID MCW Project to craft and implement gender-responsive policies, plans, programs and activities for women’s economic empowerment and women’s social rights.