Dahino leads FGD with women groups

“WITH this initiative, we are taught on how to become empowered women, independent, courageous, discover our talents and the purpose of our existence.”

This was the inspirational message of Councilor Edna M. Dahino, chair of City Council committee on women and family relations, during the Cagayan de Oro Women’s Summit Focused Group Discussion held yesterday at the City Council Conference Room 2.

The whole day activity, with the theme “Pamilyang Lig-on, May Kaugmaon,” was part of the first phase of a series of consultative meetings that was conducted a week ago and will continue until March next year.

It aims to raise women’s awareness of their situation and rights, issues and concerns with corresponding recommendations, formulate policies and preventive programs, projects and strengthen partnerships and commitment of support for their needs and priorities.

The focused groups at yesterday’s consultative meeting include former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Violence Against Women (VAW) survivors.

According to Dahino, the meeting serves as the venue for these women to express and be heard of their problems, concerns and other significant experiences. It shall also encourage them to determine the cause of their pains and find solutions to it. They shall also be given an opportunity to discover and develop their talents and abilities to meet the demands not only of family life, in particular, but also as a contributing member of the society, in general.

“Gitagaan gyud kita og talent, innate talent nga kita ra gyud ang duna. So this is now the venue nga mahibaw-an nato unsaon ni siya mapagawas because we have the rights. Definitely we are here for somebody else, for our family, sa mga tawo nga atong katrabaho, sa mga tawo nga silingan nato, ug mao ni siya ang essence nga atong gihingusgan ang atong pagka kita, unsay atong pwedeng mabuhat. Tudluan nato atong kaugalingon how to be resilient, productive and effective in everything that we do regardless of our age ug unsay grado nato sa eskwelahan,” Dahino strongly pointed out. (SP/JAO)