Women empowerment

Women deserve respect and recognition just like men since they also contribute valuable deeds for the country’s growth and development.
Indeed, the National Women’s Month paves way for greater appreciation and acknowledging every woman’s endeavors and success.
A woman is typically described as weak, sensitive, emotional and fragile. However, these characteristics don’t stop her from excelling. She stands tall, brave, and sturdy.
History attests that women are irrepressible in conquering their fears. They too are warriors and defenders. The legacies of Gabriela Silang, known as the “Joan of Arc” of Ilocandia and Melchora Aquino are manifestations of a woman’s bravery. Silang used sword and fearlessly fought the Spaniards while Aquino took away her dreads and let compassion reigned in her heart. She fed and cured the hungry and wounded katipuneros.
Women empowerment can be observed in various circumstances or aspects of life.
In the 2020 employment situation in the Philippines as reported by Philippine Statistics Authority, the labor participation rate among women is 48.5 percent. This infers that they are also capable and fit to work. They are actually not far beyond compared to men because some have higher ranks or positions.
The 2020 Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) revealed that 71.3 percent of women are enrolled in secondary education and 40.4 in college. This is an indicator that they too are determined to attain high education. It is also evident that female students are enrolling in courses that used to be for male students like engineering, law, criminology, accountancy, architecture and forestry.
During the 2019 National and Local Elections, the percentage of female candidates is 20.16 percent. This signifies that some women show interest and passion in politics for the welfare of their community. In fact, several positions are occupied by women.
Empowered women do not necessarily mean they need to always be competitive in education, politics, employment and other fields. This can be measured by their courage in surpassing adversities and challenges that may come their way.
Hence, a real empowered woman is someone who is built and refined as an upshot of curiosity, vulnerability, and resiliency.
As we celebrate the Women’s Month, we must not forget to thank the women, particularly our mothers, for without them, there will no light in the home. They show their incessant and unrestricted love to their husband and children.
Former Ms. Universe Sushmita Sen said, “Just being a woman is a gift of God that all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother and is a woman. She shows a man what caring, sharing, and loving is all about. That’s the essence of being a woman.” (JENELYN J. AGAYO)