In the observance of March as Women’s Month, the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region through its Gender and Development Unit kicked-off the month-long celebration with the Opening of the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Trade Fair held at the DA-RFO I Grounds, City of San Fernando, La Union.

In its Opening today, employees of the DA-Regional Field Office I wearing their purple shirt carrying this year’s Women’s celebration theme: “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society” marked their renewed commitment to support activities that promotes gender equality and women empowerment.

In her message during the opening ceremony, DA-RFO I Regional Executive Director Annie Bares made emphasis on the vital role of women not only in the home and in the workplace but as a productive member of the society. She also reminded everyone especially the men employees to respect, love and nurture women as mother, as co-worker and as individual in asmuch as they serve as an important partner in nation building.

Recognized for her Outstanding contribution as an empowered woman, Ms. Evelyn G. Banan, 2022 Outstanding Rural Women and a National Finalist of the Search for Outstanding Rural Women graced the occasion by giving her testimony of how she was able to contribute her skills, knowledge and resources as a woman, a mother and a community leader in their barangay.

Meanwhile, the Opening of the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Trade fair was participated in by the 15 women and young agripreneurs in the region who displayed their fresh and processed agri-fishery products helping them to market their produce.

The month-long celebration also includes activities such as the coastal clean-up scheduled on March 21, 2023 at Ilocanos or Lingsat in San Fernando City, La Union; Gender Sensitivity Training on Basic Vehicle Maintenance and Troubleshooting on March 4, 11, and 18, 2023 in partnership with TESDA-Region I; Women Forum cum Orientation on Institutional Development on March 9-10, 2023. Adding to the activities in celebration of women’s month is the RAGE I Outreach Program – an inter-agency activity sponsored by the Philippine National Police to be held on March 24, 2023 in Sudipen or Santol, La Union where the DA in Ilocos shall be providing various kinds of vegetable seeds to the beneficiaries.

Making these activities possible is the Gender and Development Unit of DA-RFO I led by the DA-RFO I’s GAD Focal Person, Ms. Edilyn Goldara.###