Declared by the United Nations General Assembly last 2011 to celebrate October 11 of every year as International Day of the Girl Child, The City Government of Catbalogan joined the whole world in the observance last October 11 with the theme “Innovating for Girls’ Education”.

Said activity was co-organized by different national agencies such as the Provincial and City Social Welfare and Development Office, Plan International Philippines, New Life Christian Center, Women of the Nations, the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines – Samar Chapter, The Waray-Waray Youth Advocates (WARAYA), Katungod han Samarena Foundation, Inc., Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency – Catbalogan, Samar State University, Samar College, Samar National School, and other partners.

Recognizing the need for fresh and creative perspectives to propel girls’ education forward, the 2013 International Day of the Girl Child seeks to address the importance of new technology, but also innovation in partnership, policies, resource utilisation, community mobilisation, and most of all, the engagement of young people themselves.

Representing in behalf of LGU-Catbalogan City, Mayor Stephany

Uy-Tan expressed her commitment and with her administration towards promoting the rights of every girl child. “My main goal is always to create an environment where young girls can reach their fool potential, and that full potential can only be realized in a place where our young girls can enjoy their childhood and discover themselves – who they are and what they want to be in life.”

She also made mention of the current programs of the City Government such as the City Scholarship Program, Early Child Care Development, preventive measures to protect girl children against VAWC and special treatment and therapy to those who survived the same, among others.

“This reminds me of a bible passage that has guided me in dealing with my two daughters – it is in Proverbs chapter 22 verse 6, which says,

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”
So partners, let us all join hands

to step up for the girl child. As always, magtitikang kita ha paghatag hin sufficient nga information hiunong han ira mga katungod. Let us train our girl children to live with freedom and choices so that when they grow up, they will never depart from it.” she added.

(Photos courtesy of Mr. Michael Balan)

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