INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY HELD AT THE HAVEN

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY HELD AT THE HAVEN

The Zonta Club of Iloilo City II Inc celebrated INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY and ZONTA ROSE DAY last March 8, 2009 at the HAVEN, Regional Center for Abused Women at Brgy. Wari-Wari, New Lucena, Iloilo. Twelve Zontians took time out of their busy schedules to visit the center and provide a moral and social upliftment to the residents there.

The center caters women and children (temporary residents) who were victims of rape, incest, involuntary prostitution, trafficking, illegal recruitment, domestic violence and abandonment. It offers protective and rehabilitative service. The social services are interventions that seek to restore social functioning of the residents from admission to discharge and preparation for family unification and community reintegration.

DSWD representatives Regina and Mary Ann explained that these women and children were given well-rounded support: financially, physically, psychologically and mentally. In addition, the women were given livelihood training such as curtain-making, dress-making, candle-making, bag weaving and stuff toy-making. President Tess Dulalia introduced the club, its mission/vision and the importance of this day to all women of the world. VP Gladys Cordero spoke on “Women Empowerment.”

Snacks were served by the Zontians and the women and their children were given gifts consisting of grocery packs, kitchenware and clothing. The residents in turn sang songs and gave dance numbers. What started as mere fellowship and interaction ended in hope and enlightenment.