In line with the provisions of the City Ordinance No. 5004 otherwise known as the Women Development Code of Davao City and in the celebration of the 94th International Women’s Day, the City Government of Davao in cooperation with the Gender Ad Hoc Committee/Integrated Gender and Development Division held its 5th Women Summit last March 3, 2004 at the Davao Convention Center, with the theme:“Finding Common Grounds for Women Electoral Agenda”.

Executive Director Ms. Emmeline L. Verzosa of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) was the keynote speaker of the said summit.  In her speech, she presented the important role of Filipino Women in good governance and improving the Philippine economy.  

Senator Francis Pangilinan was also there in the summit to give a short message to the people who attended the program.  In his speech, he promised  to give all his best for the said Act to be implemented.

The summit was designed to provide a forum where participants can raise issues and concerns facing women on their development so that the government service providers could address them.  This was done in support to the implementation of the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act . 

The program was attended by over four hundred (400) participants from different organizations.  They were organized into six workshop groups, namely: Education, Labor & Employment, Public Life, Health, Economy and Environment to raise specific issues concerning Filipino women.  The different workshop groups had come up with many issues and concerns facing women in our society.  These were the issue on Violence Against Women (VAW), Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, etc.

It was also attended by the officials of Davao City headed by City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Vice Mayor Luis Bungoyan, Councilor Angela Librado (Chair, SP Committee on Women).  Heads and representatives of government offices were also there to participate to the said summit.

Republic Act (RA) 9262 Enacted

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has finally signed into law yesterday, March 8, 2004 the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 or otherwise known as RA 9262 during the country’s celebration of International Women’s Day. 

“RA 9262 is a bill, which declares abuse of women and children a criminal act.  It defined as punishable acts of violence and abuse against women and children such as those which result to physical, sexual, psychological or even economic abuse, harm, threats, coercion, harassment or use of force and infliction of physical injuries against women and children.” –(Source: G. Kabiling, Manila Bulletin, March 9, 2004)

Many were gladl for the enactment RA 9262 especially those who are victims of Violence Against Women.  Also, those legislators who passed the bill, various women’s group and LGUs who exerted their effort much for the implementation of this law.