The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, showcased its unanimous support to the women and everyone for gender equity and inclusive society during the Kickoff Parade on March 8, 2024, in celebration of National Women’s Month.

Parading from Sardonyx Plaza, through Governor Gutierez St., to the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City, purple shirts and balloons painted the streets as employees representing their respective Ministries, Offices, and Agencies (MOA) gleefully exclaimed a variation of this year’s sub-theme “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!”.

A smaller delegation from each MOA then proceeded to the SKCC for the ceremony facilitated by the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC). The MHSD’s representatives were led by Zuhaira U. Ebrahim, RN, Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person, and Charanie B. Pandi, GAD Alternate Focal.

The celebration of Women’s Month in the BARMM establishes frameworks for promoting women’s rights and gender equity, which are in spirit with the objectives of the Women’s Month celebration. One of the key legislative frameworks is the BWC Act of 2020, which establishes the BWC.

Throughout the month, the BWC will be hosting and assisting a multitude of activities, one of which is the GAD Kwentuhan livestream which the MHSD will be one of the guests.

The MHSD Provincial Offices showcased their support in celebrating this year’s National women’s Month.

The MHSDelivers Radio Program kicked off this month’s episodes with the topic “Celebrating Women’s Month 2024” with guest from the BWC Sahara K. Ali, Information Officer, as one of the Ministry’s activities in observance of the month-long celebration which aired the day prior to the parade.

March 8 is also International Women’s Day.