The Department of Agriculture (DA) joins the Philippine Commission on Women and the whole nation in this year’s observance of the National Women’s Month. Through Presidential Proclamation No. 227 series of 1998, the month of March is designated as Women’s Role in History Month. In addition, the International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 of every year through the Republic Act 6949 series of 1990.

Every year, DA, through the Gender and Development (GAD) program conducts a series of activities in solidarity with the month-long celebration.

The National Women’s Month aims to inform and engage women and everyone to push for gender-responsive government programs and services that empower women to contribute to nation-building; provide platforms to share good practices and address gaps, challenges, and commitments in pursuing gender and development (GAD) – to further strengthen the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women towards its milestone 15th year in 2024; inspire women and girls to empower themselves and take on leadership roles, opportunities, and benefits toward maximizing their full potential and enabling them to reap the fruits of gender equality and promote a society that ensures inclusion, protection of fundamental freedoms, diversity, and social justice and in which every individual, each with rights and responsibilities, is capacitated and encouraged to take an active role to play. ### (photos by Adonis Buhayan, DA-AFID)