SM City Cauayan hosts 2026 Women’s Month Celebration, Highlights Women’s Leadership and Empowerment
CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela — SM City Cauayan marked the 2026 Women’s Month celebration on March 21 with a half-day program centered on leadership, empowerment, and social transformation, drawing participation from students and youth leaders across the province.
The event, dubbed “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas,” featured an inspirational keynote address from Jarina K. Sandhu, who encouraged women to speak boldly about what they have in mind.
“We now live in an era where women are in a more powerful state. Today we have the power to speak, we are no longer confined by silence. We have the voice to speak, the platform to influence, and the power to be heard”, Sandhu said in an interview.
The program proper included a series of lectures from distinguished speakers tackling various dimensions of women’s empowerment. Charlene Quintos of Junior Chamber International Cauayan Bamboo opened the discussion with a talk on women in leadership and decision-making.
This was followed by Krisha Pearl Nayga of the Isabela State University Social Science Department, who highlighted the significance of systemic change, community-level interventions, and individual empowerment in advancing gender equality.
The third lecture was delivered by Conchita Palencia, President of Green Ladies, who discussed the intersection of environmental sustainability and women’s rights. Her talk focused on green job creation, social equity, climate justice, and social security economy.
Participants included members of the Student Council and UNESCO-affiliated clubs from both Echague and Cauayan campuses of Isabela State University, reflecting strong youth engagement in the advocacy for women’s rights and development.
The activity was organized by the National Coordinating Body of Clubs for UNESCO in the Philippines as part of its continuing efforts to promote education, leadership, and social responsibility among Filipino youth. # Mae Barangan
