There are a thousand and one reasons to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).
Womenfolk in the town of Tiaong, for instance, celebrated the 8th of March with a sportsfest and teambuilding through Kababaihang Meaksyon Agad at the town’s Convention Center, fully supported by Municipal Mayor Vincent Arjay Mea and the local government officials.
Magna Carta for Women or Republic Act 9710 which became a law on August 14, 2009 provides that women’s rights on sports are underscored through Section 14 because it is the State’s responsibility to “develop, establish, and strengthen programs for the participation of women and girl-children in competitive and non-competitive sports.” This has been included in the Gender and Development (GAD) Program. And what better way to celebrate IWD with sports activities.
Well-rounded womenfolk is good for the nation. It is high time that they go out of their way to practice and join sports activities. Such an undertaking provides more benefits physically, mentally, emotionally. They should not be too wrapped up with household chores. There’s got to be a balance and men, especially the husband, should support some physical activity for his other half. It doesn’t have to be a profession, even just a weekly sports activity for the girls and women is beneficial.
To have women that take up sports as a profession should all the more be supported by the government in the local and national levels. Women athletes raise the Philippine flag in world sports arena as men do. Being in various sports to represent the country is another way of expressing patriotism.
Therefore, girls and young women who show potential should be encouraged to take the path where they excel, train, and bring laurels and honor to the province, to the country, and to the women sector that they represent.