Empowered Women Bestowed Love to Female FRs
Female soldiers of the 11th Forward Service Support Unit together with the Female Officers and Enlisted Women of Gender and Development Office (GAD) of 10ID, 10th Division Public Affairs Office, 2nd Field Artillery Battalion (2FAB), Army Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Battalion, 60th Infantry Battalion and the Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) and in partnership with the Provincial Women Development Council of Davao de Oro, Kiwanis International and JCI Duwaling celebrated this year’s Women’s Month with the former female rebels (FR) and their families who are currently under the custody of the 25IB and 60IB last 11 March 2021.
The FRs dubbed as “Sisters in Peace” enjoyed the pampering, including free nail care, massage, and hair care. They also received gifts that will benefit them and their families from the different offices and organizations who conducted the said activity.
The Women’s Month Celebration with the theme, “Juana Laban Sa Pandemya: Kaya!” aims to empower women even in times of crisis. The activity is also one of the steps for the FRs to start anew as they embrace their new way of life. The celebration also shows that the government and non-government organizations offer various forms of services and projects for the people, especially the FRs who have already chosen peace.
The Former Rebels were chosen as the activity recipients to promote Women's Empowerment, especially for the female FRs who surrendered with their children. These female FRs were considered vulnerable, for they experienced hardships inside the terrorist organization and were not given importance and consideration. The simple activity showed them that there is more than what a woman deserves.
Under the protocols implemented during the pandemic, the outreach program followed the safety measures of physical distancing and wearing protective masks.