A lmost two years since her appointment as an Assistant Secretary in the DILG, Marjorie N. Jalosjos takes on new

challenges in handling special concerns on Gender and Development (GAD), youth and children issues, and indigenous peoples on top of acting as focal person for Mindanao (non-ARMM) concerns, especially on matters related to Peace and Order Councils’ functionality and effectiveness.

After receiving these ‘marching orders’ from DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año, Jalosjos is quick on her toes in pushing for the reactivation and reconstitution of the GAD Focal Point System and Technical Working Group.

This 2018 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC), the DILG Women’s Bulletin introduces you to the new DILG ‘GADdess’ to get to know her perspective and vision.

What is women empowerment for you?

Women empowerment is giving women not just voice but the right to be heard and to have a happy and fulfilled life – able to contribute to societal development, able to do things she wanted, able to achieve what she dreamed of, for herself and for her family, without necessarily sacrificing her significance as change maker and her values as Filipina.

What are your plans and goals to be achieved as a whole by the newly reconstituted DILG GAD Focal Point System?

GAD is not just about celebrating Women’s Month, it’s not just about advocating for women’s rights, nor conducting activities for the sake of compliance to norms and laws.

GAD is about inculcating in the hearts and minds of every Filipino the importance of respect for women and men alike, gender sensitization and equality of sexes.

We will not just meet the terms. We will pursue programs that are not just confined within the walls of the DILG-NAPOLCOM Center. I want it intrinsic, far-reaching, extra ordinary, and nationwide.

Who are your role models in GAD advocacy?

I have the highest respect for women from conflict-affected areas in Mindanao especially those from the ARMM. Despite devastating effects of conflicts to people’s lives, women in Mindanao remain resilient –taking good care of their families, nourishing their children, sending them to schools, and enjoying what life has to offer despite pains and hardships – women empowerment at its best.

WHat is the edge of a woman as a leader as compared to a man?

I always believe in equality. We have great leaders of varied gender. But what distinguishes a woman as a leader is her being forbearing and compassionate.

Compared to men, women are used to taking care of the family therefore if they have extended it outside of their homes, they will be better caretakers of the community as well.

Nothing compares to a motherly leadership – could be strict at times but always loving, nurturing, and wonderful.

How can women be agents of change?

I share the views of Olivia Jordan, Miss Universe 2015 2nd Runner-up, that women should believe in themselves, to be themselves, and to follow their wildest dreams no matter what those dreams are.

Being an agent of change is not easy, but with the right attitude and determination to bring into equilibrium rights and access to all spheres of life for both men and women, it can be done.

So I am encouraging all women to be more active in their homes

and communities, speak up and be involved, stand up and

be the person who actually does advocate and fight for women’s rights for a better government, and for a better Philippines.

-- Nesreen A. Hadjirasid

Vol.14 No.1 March 2018

Did You Know?In 2017, the Philippine Commission on

Women (PCW) Board Members and

Interagency Technical Working Group

identified the NWMC theme “We Make

Change Work for Women”, which shall be

used from 2017-2022.

It highlights the empowerment of women as

active contributors to and claimholders of

development. This pursuit of development

is also anchored on the commitment

of “Malasakit at Pagbabago” or True

Compassion and Real Change.

From: http://pcw.gov.ph/WomenMakeChange2018

Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Affairsand Special Concerns

Photo: Darrel Melgar Layout: Kelly VillanuevaDILG SHARED VISION

A strongly determined and highly trusted Department committed to capacitate and nurture local government units,public order, and safety institutions to sustain peaceful, progressive and resilient communities where people live happily.

New DILG GADdess speaks on women empowerment

ASEC. MarjoriE N. JALOSJOS