By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—Some male employees of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) gave women a few minutes of good vibes on the morning of March 2, 2020 as they joined the first ever “Taray Sapatos de Takong [Running in high heels]” to usher the women’s month celebration this March.
Organized by the Gender and Development Office under the PGIN, around 20 male Capitol workers representing the different departments dressed like females and ran wearing high heels in front along Rizal St. all the way to the Provincial Capitol building.
“The wearing of high heels by our male colleagues is like putting their shoes in women. It is symbolic as we usher the women’s month celebration,” said Janet London, focal person of the Gender and Development Office in an interview.
People who witnessed the event said they are delighted to see the male participants who gamely showed their support to women activities in the province. Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecile Araneta-Marcos graced the fun fare and she thanked everyone for observing women’s month with a bit of good vibes. The top three runners and best dressed participants won prized.
The Philippines observes National Women’s Month every March as part of the worldwide observance of International Women’s Day.
In Ilocos Norte, various women’s groups in collaboration with the Ilocos Norte government prepared a month-long celebration geared towards women empowerment and the promotion of gender equality.
Aside from the Taray Sapatos de Takong event, Capitol workers in the province also distributed “kikay kits” as well as hygiene kits to all pediatric and OB gynecology patients at the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital in this city.
With the local ‘mardi grass’ theme, more male participants now participate in the women-led activities of the province.
So, to make the “Kinni-kinni” [Swaying Hips] parade, a major highlight of the women’s month celebration set on March 18, this year, Ms. London said they have invited males to become their muses who will wear high heels too during the event.
Then on March 25, 2020, women’s groups from the province’s 21 towns and two cities will attend a gender and development summit at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
Over the years, the Ilocos Norte government, since the administration of then Governor and now senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos has strengthened programs and services for women such as the provision of livelihood assistance, skills training and promotion of women’s health and welfare.
Among the major innovations for women empowerment in the province, which Ms. Marcos’s son, current Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc is continuing, include the establishment of “Pink Hotlines” to address reports on violence against women and children in coordination with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Gender and Development (GAD) Office, and Women’s Desk Office.
The same government offices sheltered under one roof at the Provincial Capitol also conduct seminars on teenage pregnancy, sexual harassment, rape, and other Gender and Development issues among barangay communities.