“A mother in a home is what makes it a home,” said Governor Ralph DLG Torres in an interview on Wednesday regarding CNMI Women’s Month.
The governor, joined by First Lady Diann T. Torres, Lt. Governor Arnold I. Palacios, and Second Lady Wella S. Palacios proclaimed the month of March as CNMI Women’s Month.
This year’s theme is “Gender Equality: Key to Sustainable Development.”
Drawing on his personal experience, the governor recalled his mother raising him and his siblings, including his sister.
“I respect my mom. I love my sister,” he said, noting that every day is a day to celebrate women.
This month, he said, is a special month for women, he added, extending his congratulations to every woman for their contributions to the community.
“Seeing women step up and give back to the community… I want to encourage everyone to step outside the box,” he said.
He added, “I believe in women. I believe in their leadership.” The governor noted that several of his cabinet members are women.
These include Secretary of Labor Vicky Benavenete, Secretary of Public Lands Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo, Special Assistant for Programs and Legislative Review Victoria Guerrero, Policy Analyst Janina Maratita, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Maryann Borja-Arriola, Special Advisor for Women’s Affairs Shirley Camacho-Ogumoro, Special Assistant for Management and Budget Virginia Villagomez, Special Assistant for Military Affairs Glenna S.P. Reyes, Special Assistant for Public Transportation Alfreda P. Camacho, Special Assistant for Substance Abuse, Addiction, and Rehabilitation Yvette R. Sablan, Executive Director of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Erlinda Naputi, Managing Director of the CNMI Cannabis Commission Monique B. Sablan, Managing Director of the Marianas Visitors Authority Priscilla M. Iakopo, and Zoning Administrator Geralyn C. Delacruz.
CNMI Women’s Association President Cecilia Taitano, for her part, said, “Women in the history of the CNMI and the world have marked their battles for equality and have risen from inequity through perseverance, determination for change, strength through voice, and the willpower to effect our equal rights and opportunities that have shaped permanent changes in our cultures, government, politics, education, society and history.”
She said that all of these embody and perpetuate unified goals for gender equality, which is essential and key to sustainable development.
Taitano said that the CNMI Women’s Association, the Women’s Affairs Office, the Office of Planning and Development, various agencies and community partners will continue working closely to solidify their action plan surrounding Sustainable Development Goal #5, which is achieving gender equality through economic development, health and education, and safety.
“We rely on our partnerships as we all support the work towards our first CNMI Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan,” she added.
This CNMI Women’s Month, the CNMI Women’s Association and the WAO plan to hold events to bring the community together whilst empowering women and girls.
Tonight at 5 p.m. there will be a Women’s Mass Celebration at San Isidro Church.
Every Saturday of the month, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., there will be a Motheread/Fatheread CNMI family literacy class hosted by the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation and Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.
Every Sunday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Sirena Project will be taking place at Guma Sakman.
For the remainder of the month, the following activities will be taking place:
March 10 — Women’s Leadership Training
March 11 — Women as Entrepreneurs: How to Write a Business Plan
March 15 — Outreach: Free Blood Pressure and Glucose Check before Women’s Walk-A-Thon at 5:30 a.m. on Rota
March 18 — Women as Entrepreneurs: How to Prepare a Financial Plan
March 25 — Women as Entrepreneurs: How to Prepare a Marketing Plan
March 26 — Women’s Recognition Day and International Women’s Day hosted by First Lady Diann T. Torres and Second Lady Wella S. Palacios
March 28 — Day of Prayer to be hosted by the WAO
March 31 — Training on Gender Equality, Women’s Health, Waving at 4 p.m., Teteto Pavilion on Rota.
Community members are encouraged to participate in this year’s CNMI Women’s Month activities.
