The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), through its Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System, has intensified its involvement in the promotion of gender equality in the workplace and the local community.
In a simple program during the flag-raising ceremony on Monday, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia and GAD chairperson Amethya Koval announced the release of a comics-magazine called “Juana” that promotes the rights of women and children, and the start of the radio program “Gender Hour,” which tackles topics on gender equality.
Garcia, who is also a GAD champion, lauded the officers and personnel behind the GAD projects for their initiative to promote social awareness and to make the SBMA an active participant in the program.
“GAD focuses on the principle that development is for all,” Garcia stressed. “Whatever the gender is, everyone has the right to equal opportunities to achieve a full and satisfying life, and I’m glad that the SBMA is in the forefront of this advocacy.”
Koval said that “Juana,” a 28-page full color komiks, explains existing laws, such as Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, which promotes equal rights in all aspects related to marriage and family relationships.
The publication also tackles RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004) and RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination), as well as RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) and RA 9995 (Anti-Photo and Voyeurism Act), which protects and guarantees dignity and privacy of everyone and full respect for human rights.
The magazine, Koval said, will be distributed free to offices of business locators and investors, schools and other local government units in the Subic Freeport.
Copies were also given to Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (AVAWC) representatives from Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce.
After the announcement, SBMA GAD officials launched over SBMA radio station Subic Bay FM (89.5 MHZ) the radio program “Gender Hour,” to promote awareness on gender equality, including issues on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT); and sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE).
Koval said that the one-hour interactive radio program will be aired every Monday at 10:00 in the morning. The program is broadcast live and reaches the whole of Central Luzon and abroad via internet streaming.
Koval added that during the soft launch of the radio program, “Gender Hour” had gained listeners and audiences in parts of United States, Japan, Dubai, and other parts of the Middle East.
“We are glad that our program is reaching broader audiences domestically and abroad. This only shows that we are on the right track in promoting awareness of gender equality,” she also said.
Koval also announced that the SBMA GAD is preparing a regular magazine, with writers and contributors from the SBMA and Freeport companies and schools, in order to reach more audiences in the Subic Bay Freeport area. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)
PHOTO:
Juana, a comics-magazine published by the SBMA under its Gender and Development program, promoting the rights of women and children. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)
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