Malabon City Jail Visit

As part of Soroptimist International of Malabon's International Women's Day celebrations, SIM members went to Malabon City Jail last March 12 to distribute personal hygiene products, fruits and serve pancit bihon at the women dorms. 

The detainees in turn showed their appreciation by preparing a program of song and dance which members of SIM enjoyed very much. 

Malabon City Jail holds 175 women detainees, with ages ranging from 21 to 58 years old. Some women detainees have not seen their families for months, while others have languished for years as they await the conclusion of their trials. 

Our intention is to uplift the spirits of the detainees and give them hope. Hope gives strength to a spirit battered by loneliness and personal tribulations. Hope is a beacon that leads a person to change for the better.

For more pictures, click here.

Anti-Violence against Women Seminar

On March 12, Soroptimist International of Malabon held a Seminar on RA 9262 or otherwise known as the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004. 

The seminar is part of SI Malabon's Public Awareness Campaign aimed at empowering women and children to end the cycle of abuse. 

The highly informative seminar was conducted by PCINSP Concepcion A. Salas, Chief of the District Women and Children's Desk of the Northern Police District Office. 

Her concise and uncomplicated explanation of a woman's rights and narration of real cases, drove the point that violence has no place in a relationship between couples and their children. She clearly presented a woman's options under the law to protect herself and her children against an abusive partner. 

Violence has no place in our community and in our homes. SI Malabon intends to hold more seminars to inform women of their rights under the law. More than awareness, SIM strives to make accessible channels for women to seek advice, legal aid and protection.

For more pictures, click here.

Duet at Malabon City Jail

Soroptimist International of Malabon, celebrated International Women's Day by visiting the Female Dorms of Malabon City Jail on March 12, 2013. SI Malabon brought packets containing personal hygiene products and fruits for the detainees. They also brought "pancit" (sauteed noodles) to share with the inmates.

As a show of appreciation, the inmates prepared a few dance numbers and a song, to entertain members of SI Malabon.

The video shows SI Malabon President Jeannie Sandoval, singing "I Know I Need to be In Love" with one of the more talented inmates of Malabon City Jail.

Charter Presentation of SI Malabon Zalmir

On the 11th of March 2013, Soroptimist International of Malabon Zalmir was presented with its Charter. Soroptimist International of Malabon, SI Malabon Zalmir's sponsor, hosted the event at Pescadores Restaurant in Malabon City.

Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region Governor Minda A. Garcia, and SIPR Officers were present to welcome SI Malabon Zalmir into the fold. Every new Soroptimist club furthers the reach of an International Organization whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.

More pictures here.

Livelihood Training at Artex, Brgy. Panghulo

Soroptimist International of Malabon held livelihood trainings on Bangus Deboning at Artex Housing Village in Barangay Panghulo, on March 1, 2013. 

Artex has been permanently submerged in flood waters since 2004. However, during storms, the depth of the water at the compound can reach up to 10 feet. Some time ago, people used to walk the streets of Artex rather than paddle. Most of the residents are poor and have very little options but to stay. 

Though half-submerged, a home is still a home and residents have employed makeshift boats to get around and even earn a living from by ferrying residents and visitors. 

Soroptimist International of Malabon is confident that women who benefitted from the livelihood trainings will be able to put to good use their acquired skills and earn extra income at the fish markets or start their own business selling deboned fresh, marinated or smoked bangus. Wholesome and nutritious "sopas" or creamy chicken and macaroni soup was also distributed to the children in the area to supplement their diet.

For more pictures, click here.

Live Your Dream

Members of Soroptimist International of Malabon City, pledging to:

• Help women and girls live free of poverty, discrimination and violence;
• Help women achieve economic empowerment so they can provide better lives for themselves and their families;
• Help women and girls live full and productive lives;
• Help women and girls believe that dreams can come true;
• And help women and girls to live their dreams!

2013 Youth Day

The 2013 Youth Day was highlighted by a Forum sponsored by Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region (A Foundation), Inc., with a theme: Building the Future of Filipino Youth. The Forum was held on February 27, 2013, at the Kaban ng Hiyas, Mandaluyong City Hall.

For more pictures, click here.

Charter Presentation of 3 New Soroptimist Clubs

The Charter Presentation of SI Malabon East, SI Northern Manila and SI Valenzuela North, were held at Pescadores Restaurant in Malabon City, last February 23, 2013. 

Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region Officers and Guests were in attendance. Every new Soroptimist club furthers the reach of an International Organization whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.

For more pictures, click here.

Milk for the Children of Caingin-1

Soroptimist International of Malabon, in cooperation with LTH Food Industries, the maker of Jersey Milk, set up a milk stall at Caingin-1 Brgy. Tinajeros, last February 15. The stall provided free milk to the children in the area. 

SI Malabon is an advocate of proper children's nutrition. We believe that a mother's knowledge of good food and creativity can raise the quality of children's nutrition. However, access to quality nutrition is very dependent on the income of families.

This is why SIM is fervently working to provide livelihood skills to women which they can use to augment their family incomes. With increased income, comes greater access to quality foods such as green leafy vegetables, fresh meat and fish, fruits and milk for the children.

For more pictures, click here.

Livelihood Training: Bangus Deboning

These photos were taken at a livelihood training conducted by Soroptimist International of Malabon at Caingin, Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon City, last February 15. 

The bangus deboning training is meant to give women at the project sites skills that they can earn an income from to support their families. Bangus deboning is a sought after skill at the local markets and even fish processing factories in the area. At the markets, a deboned bangus can fetch a premium of P10 over an unprepared fish. It is also a necessary skill if the participants should chose to start their own business in preparing and smoking fish.

For more pictures, click here.

Why Women and Girls? (a repost)

Soroptimist means "best for women" and that's what we strive to be—an organization of women at their best helping other women to be their best. 

It's true that both men and women live in poverty, face discrimination and must overcome obstacles. But throughout history—in every country in the world—women and girls face additional obstacles and discrimination solely because of their gender.

Why do women and girls need our help? 

Consider the following:

One in three women have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in their lifetime.

According to a recent report, of the 600,000-800,000 people trafficked across international borders annually, 80 percent are female.

Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours but earn only 10 percent of the world's income, and own less than 1 percent of the world's property.

Of a total 550 million working poor, 330 million (60 percent) are women.

The United Nations estimates that globally women's unpaid care is worth up to $11 trillion annually.

Two-thirds of the 880 million illiterate adults are women.

Of the more than 110 million children not in school, approximately 60 percent are girls.

By age 18, girls have received an average of 4.4 years less education than boys.

In some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls have HIV rates up to five times higher than adolescent boys.

Pregnancies and childbirth-related health problems take the lives of nearly 146,000 teenage girls each year.

An estimated 450 million adult women in developing countries are stunted, a direct result of malnutrition in early life.

Two million girls and women are subjected to female genital mutilation every year, and thousands suffer needlessly from obstetric fistula.

Gender discrimination often begins at a young age—in some cases even before birth—and girl children are devalued and discriminated against throughout the world. In many cultures, girls are considered to have little or no value, and therefore poor families often opt not to educate their female children. Without an education, women are less likely to find sustaining work at a living wage, and are more likely to remain poor throughout their lifetimes.

Because of the prevalence of gender discrimination, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, female infanticide and pre-natal sex selection are still widespread. Additionally, the devaluation of women leads to girls and women being sold into human bondage and sexual slavery. Women also experience discrimination in food allocation and lack of access to health care, which results in lower survival rates. And women around the world experience sexual abuse and domestic violence on a daily basis.

By initiating club projects that benefit women and girls, and by honoring women who help women and girls, Soroptimist clubs and members improve the status of women and girls. Soroptimist projects and programs aid women economically, and empower them to make positive changes in their lives and their communities.

-From http://www.soroptimist.org/

Bringing Some Cheer to Displaced Families in Tugatog

 

The President of Soroptimist International of Malabon City, Jeannie Sandoval, took a time off during the eve of New Year 2013, to distribute fruits to victims of a fire that displaced a number of families in Barangay Tugatog.

It is a custom in many Filipino households to keep a bowl of round fruits on New Years Eve to bring good luck. It is the wish of SIM that the small gesture would uplift the spirits of the victims as they greet the New Year with high hopes.