In pursuit of the theme “Kababaihan, Kaagapay sa Pagharap sa mga Pagsubok Tungo sa Kapayaan at Kaunlaran,” 200 female police officers from different police units nationwide assembled in Tagaytay City from November 16 to 18 for the 12th National Biennial Summit on Women in Community Policing with Ms. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism formally opening the event as the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker.
The virtual message of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio to the Soroptimist, the group standing as the awards body, and to the participants of the 12th PNP National Biennial Summit 2022 highlighted the opening of the event.
In her address, Vice President Duterte-Carpio underscored the programs, particularly, those promoting women in policing by supporting the women and children protection desks down to the barangay level.
“I am optimistic that your initiatives will contribute to the improved protection of women and children from violence, help ensure women’s and children’s health and provide them more education, training, and skills enhancement opportunities,” VP said.
Meanwhile, PNP Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr, during the culminating activity, expressed his appreciation and recognized the significance of holding this event which consistently lay down the pursuit for women police officers to have their sense of direction towards a competitive, gender-fair, and principled leadership in the police organization; and to have the frontline tasks of addressing the elimination of violence against women (and their children), this, applicable to both internal and external clients.
“Your commitment and dedication in helping the government build an inclusive society where women can fully harness and realize their individual and collective potentials a society where women can have equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide; and your initiatives on the enrichment of police practices on women regarding gender related issues, handling of victims, and rights and roles of policewomen, truly inspire us all”, PGen Azurin said.
Among the highlights of the event is the awarding of the ten most outstanding female police officers of Women and Children Protection Desks (WCPDs) and in Juvenile and Gender and Development (FJGAD) under the “Adopt-a-WCPD project” of Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippine Region (SIAPR), in recognition of their significant contributions in the fight against gender-based violence (GBVs), and other forms of abuses and exploitation against women and children.
“May you remain steadfast in protecting the rights and in promoting the interests of the most vulnerable sectors in our society, especially our children, not only as a cherished tradition but a way of life in law enforcement, particularly in the PNP where 45,581 or 21.48% of the entire 226,928 PNP personnel are women,” Azurin added.
The 3-day event, in partnership with the SIAPR, is held to promote women empowerment while enriching the competency and capability of female law enforcers in performing their police functions in the community.
SIAPR is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
