The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO 1) has kicked off the month-long celebration of Women’s Month 2024, with the sub-theme “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas, Kakayahan ng Kababaihan Patutunayan”. This theme aims to highlight and harness the full potential of women and girls, showcasing their capabilities in contributing to national growth and development.

Led by DA-RFO 1 RED Annie Bares, the kick-off event also included a cheque awarding for the 2023 outstanding rural women regional winner, Ms. Lilian Guillao, who also shared her inspiring testimony.

As part of the 2024 National Women’s Month celebration, the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita was also launched with around 15 women and youth agri-preneurs from the region participating. This five-day activity provided them with a platform to sell a variety of affordable agri-fishery products at very affordable prices.

In addition to these activities, the month-long celebration will also include training sessions on value-adding, food processing, and labeling of agricultural commodities for women. There will also be sessions on Serbisyo para kay Juan at Juana-Good Animal Husbandry Practices and Good Agricultural Practices cum provision of services, and Basic Life-Support-Child and Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training. These sessions are designed to help close the gender gaps and enhance their capability in providing products and services and further equip women with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their respective fields.

Adding to the activities was the participation of DA-RFO 1 employees in the RAGE-1 fun walk held on March 8.