BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) urged for the conduct of a program that will focus on women’s rights during the Girl Child Week celebration in the city slated on March 22 to 28.
The SP has ratified a resolution that requested the City Population Office, Department of Social Services and Development, and City Health Office to organize the program, which must include lectures on preventing teenage pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) contraction.
All 61 barangays in this city will also help in the conduct of the program.
“There is considerable cause for concern in the increasing number of girls subjected to economic exploitation, prostitution, sexual assault, and abuse, if not given enough and comprehensive orientation,” resolution proponent Councilor Sonya Verdeflor said.
Verdeflor added: “Issues confronting girls like teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS should be specifically addressed and resolved.”
Proclamation No. 759 issued on March 6, 1996 declares every fourth week of March as the “Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week.”
The celebration underscores the need to provide every girl who is below 18 years of age with equal opportunities and adequate protection to prepare her for her role in community development./PN
