DSWD Field Office Eight employees, foster/adoptive parents, residents of the agency’s Regional Haven, and PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (PANTAWID PAMILYA) Parent-Leaders of Tacloban took a round of the city Monday, March 4, 2013, to mark the opening of the DSWD’s observance of the National Women’s Month this March.

Most of them walked, others run, and a few rode in their bicycles, in said activity which was dubbed as “Walk, Run, Bike for Women’s Rights !” Except for the employees, the rest of the participants carried banners bearing slogans, which were entries to the slogan contest launched that day.

In the program held at the Plaza Rizal, DSWD Field Office Eight Director Remia Tapispisan thanked the various committees running the conduct of the series of weekly activities for the month, for the success of the launching.

Policy and Plans Division, Yvonne Abonales, who is the Over-All Coordinator of the monthlong celebration, revealed that there will be a gender – related quiz bee, parlor games, sports activities, and a DSWD Speakers Bureau Competition among male employees, focusing on women’s rights/welfare and development.

Assistant City Prosecutor of Tacloban, Liza Jorda, gave the inspirational message in the program who said that in earlier times, women were second class citizens. “Men had the feeling of superiority,” he added.

Jorda, however, said that though women may have rights, women must make sure that they don’t abuse their rights. “Men also have rights,” he emphasized.

She further pointed out that women’s right is human right!