Women’s Month Celebration 2021

By: Saarah Dorothy S. Alquero

Every March, St. Scholastica’s Academy – City of San Fernando Pampanga partakes in advocating for women in society through the celebration of the National Women’s
Month. This event emphasizes the call towards the attainment of equal rights and addresses issues that hinder in the fulfillment of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment. 

Anchored on the theme, “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World,” this year’s initiative differs from past celebrations as it is set in the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented women with both opportunities and challenges. An opportunity to honor women’s contribution, playing extraordinary roles as solution-providers for the ongoing struggles caused by the pandemic and a challenge to further amplify our voices towards the issues that impede women empowerment and gender equality.

In line with this, the Araling Panlipunan subject area headed the launching of Women’s Month Celebration on the 1^st day of March, 2021 through an Audio-Visual Presentation that broadcasted a spoken poetry by Clare Ventura which brought about women in history, their leadership, perspectives, achievements and empowerment in shaping a fair and just community. In addition to this, students were encouraged to use the Facebook frame created by Amaya Silvestre and Nathly Miranda along with a caption made by Clare Ventura to further advocate in empowering women.

Afterwards, various activities were provided for Scholasticans with the aim to showcase their talents, creativity and increase awareness on women participation. The activity designated per grade level should depict the theme and each section had to select a representative for the competition:

Grade level activities:

Grades 7 & 8: Digital Poster and Slogan Making Contest

Grades 9 & 10: Photo Essay

Grade 10: A webinar entitled, “Sitwasyon at Pakikibaka ng Kababaihang Pilipino” – held on March 17, 2021, 8:00 – 9:00 am and 1:30 – 2:30 pm via Zoom

Grades 11 and 12: Spoken Poetry

The works of Scholasticans featured the message of women who can manage to lead and thrive in the fight against the pandemic. Meanwhile, the talk administered to the grade 10 students was arranged by Mr. Marlon Cuevas – the Araling Panlipunan grade 10 teacher and led by resource speaker Ms. Christin Jireh Nabata – a Feminist and Activist herself. Throughout the event, the issues that women continue to face were discussed and what’s more, it broadened their knowledge about Feminism.

“Feminism is the belief that women and men should have equal rights and opportunities.” The words of Ms. Nabata expounded the definition of Feminism and clarified the misconception that feminism is not a movement to promote women superiority, rather, it is to achieve political, economic and social equality of the sexes. It is for everyone.

The Women’s Month Celebration ended through a virtual culminating activity via SSA-SF’s Facebook page on March 29, 2021, honoring women frontliners, their hard work, sacrifices and roles that contribute for the betterment of our society. In line with this, the winners for each grade level competition were announced:

Grade 7:    1^st – Miriam 2^nd – Judith 3^rd – Deborah 

Grade 8:   1^st – St. Bernadette 2^nd – St. Clare 3^rd – St. Ma. Goretti

Grade 9:   1^st – Lourdes 2^nd – Penafrancia 3^rd – Guadalupe

Grade 10:   1^st – St. Elfreda 2^nd – St. Humbeline 3^rd – St. Hildegarde

Grade 11:   1^st – St. Elizabeth 2^nd – St. Frances 3^rd – St. Aurea

Grade 12:   1^st – St. Martha 2^nd – St. Monica 3^rd – St. Hildegundis

We are all in this together. Let us enable and empower women to continue rising above the traditional macho culture to honor our female leaders who are at the center of this year’s celebration, paving pathways for more Juanas to make positive change in our nation. We must all Make Change Work for Women in this COVID-19 world and contribute to the success of letting #WomenMakeChange!