Tag Archives: International Women’s Day

Santiago visits IRRI for International Women’s Day

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by Renee Marsha Babao

Purple and Proud. Santiago was confident that a woman can cause positive change.
Purple and Proud. Santiago was confident that a woman can cause positive change.

    LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES – She wore purple and she’s proud.

   Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago graced the International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) celebration of International Women’s Day last March 11, 2014 at IRRI, Los Baňos, Laguna.

   With the theme Inspiring Change, the senator delivered a speech about women empowerment and stressed the importance of women as change-makers.

   “Research shows that empowering women benefit society as a whole,” the senator said. “When women are educated and empowered economically, their families become healthier, their children go to school, incomes increase, and communities thrive. ”

   Santiago further dwelled on the country’s current condition on gender gap by citing the 2011 Geneva-based World Economic Forum’s four categories that determines gender gap:

  • educational attainment
  • health and survival
  • economic participation and opportunities
  • political empowerment

   She also stated that there should be more women in the Philippine political scene. “When women are empowered as political leaders, countries often experience higher standards of living with positive developments in education, infrastructure and health care. ” (READ: Santiago: Next president should be female to meet PH gender equality goal)

   The senator also lauded IRRI for heading the advancement of women in the agriculture.

   Her speech also had her trademark punchlines and even included some remarks about former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

   The senator closed her speech with a tribute to mothers, who, according to her, are the source of comfort in a harsh and unintelligible world. (WATCH: Senator Santiago’s Speech at IRRI)

Group Photo. The senator posed for a shot with the crowd under the drizzle on the IRRI grounds.
Group Photo. The senator posed for a shot with the crowd under the drizzle on the IRRI grounds.

   Netizens present expressed excitement in social networking sites.

https://twitter.com/gailvier18/status/443376416022093824

 

 Santiago was invited as part of IRRI’s celebration of the International Women’s Day, which spanned March 10 and 11.

   She was among the pool of speakers on a series of talks which included Dr. Thelma Paris, Consultant and Gender Specialist of IRRI’s Social Sciences Division, Dr. Sarah Beebout,  Scientist II in IRRI’s Crop & Environmental Sciences Division  and Ms. Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, Chairman of the Philippine Civil Service Commission and Chairman of the Board of the Development Bank of the Philippines .

   As part of the said celebration, IRRI also held activities such as seminars, panel discussions, a showcase of national costumes and a Health & Wellness Fair which featured booths from food to cosmetics to clothing.

Booths set up in the DL Umali building.
Booths set up in the DL Umali building.
Booths situated outside the building.
Booths situated outside the building.

   According to internationalwomensday.com, International Women’s Day “is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future”, first held in 1911 in a handful of European countries, and is currently celebrated every March 8. (READ: About International Women’s Day)

   The website also stated that purple is the color to end violence against women. 

   In some countries like China and Russia, International Women’s Day is a national holiday. The event is also celebrated in the Philippines. (READ: Philippines bid to set world record for biggest ‘woman’ symbol)