webinar women leaders

SOCCSKSARGEN—The National Nutrition Council Region XII held its first Nutrition Literacy and Empowerment of Women Leaders and Influencers in blended mode on April 28, 2022 attended by around 95 participants composed of officers and members of various Women’s groups which include Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) Federation officer, Rural Improvement Club (RIC) ,Council of Women and Local Nutrition Focal Points. Face-to-face set-up was held at Villa Amor Hotel, Koronadal City while the online platform was held via Zoom videoconference. The webinar aims to strengthen the behavior-changing nutrition promotion opportunities by engaging and liberating the roles of women, specifically:

  • The webinar aims to raise awareness among women leaders and influencers on their roles in scaling up nutrition in the First 1000 days of life
  • To empower and mobilize women leaders and influencers to support nutrition initiatives in their respective community
  • Women leaders and influencers to lead advocacy on strengthened delivery of maternal nutrition and child health programs and services

In her welcome remarks, RNPC Retsebeth M. Laquihon emphasized the importance of women’s roles in influencing positive behavior and strengthening nutrition intervention. She also discussed the Overview of NNC and PPAN. Other highlights include the topics of the following: Healthy Lifestyle and Good Nutrition by NO III Annalita Mae Flores, Gender Equality and Nutrition by Engr. Almie G. Castillo OIC- Assistant Division Chief, LGCDD ,DILG XII; Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning discussed by Mr. Alvin Dwight Asentista, Information Officer III of POPCOM XII and Women Empowerment in the First 1000 days (F1KD) by Ms. Ivy G. Caballes, R, Head of Office of Save the Children, Southcentral Mindano.

Ms. Ivy Caballes, on the other hand, emphasized in her topic that women empowerment is a process that involves a variety of dynamic, changeable, and innovative steps. She went on to say that being a woman in a community plays an essential part in promoting healthy children and living a healthy life in the community.

Women, particularly mothers, are referred to in Filipino culture as “Ilaw ng Tahanan,” with the concept of preserving the bliss of their family’s home at all costs. Women play a vital role in promoting and protecting their family members’ food intake and nutritional status, as well as their care and health-promoting behaviors.(DPA/AMF/RML)