Zonta Cebu 2 tackles women’s issues

Women’s issues are at the core of Zonta Club of Cebu 2’s activities.

Recently, the club sponsored a Cancer Detection Screening activity at the Mandaue City Sports Complex, in partnership with the Philippine Medical Women’s Association. (PMWA), and the city of Mandaue. The half-day involvement had 17 Zontians and eight PMWAs (medical staff) in attendance, with the Mandaue City Hall employees led by Councilor Cynthia Remedio and City Health Officer Dr. Edna Seno.

At the end of the day, the volunteers were “tired but happy” over their accomplishment. Treated were a total of 128 patients. Those with positive findings will be followed-up at the Mandaue City Health Center.

Zontians all over the world have this universal outcry, “No to Violence Against Women.”

Even our Zonta International (ZI) president, Sonja Honig Schough, says, “VAW (Violence Against Women) crosses every social, and economic class, every religion, race and ethnicity. One out of every three women has experienced this in her lifetime. We in ZI cannot accept this.”

Neither can we in Zonta Club of Cebu 2! Thus, the “Dangoyngoy sa Kahilum-1 (a continuing series to end the silence and stand united against domestic violence) was held for the first time in Mandaue City.

Venue was the Department of Education building with Zontian Dr. Elsa Basubas as project chairperson and club president Dr. Vivien Seno leading her 18 members, clad in “fighting” red shirts!

Very supportive of this firsttime endeavor were City Coun- cilor and chairperson-committee on Women and Family Cynthia Remedio and Ernie Manatad of Subangdaku, president of the Association of Barangay Captains.

With the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women,” the forum was well on its way, with dynamic, knowledgeable speakers: Virginia P. Santiago, president, LAW Inc.; Dr. Pureza T. Oñate, adult and child psychiatrist; “Conquering the Violence,” a survivor’s testimony, and Teresa B. Fernandez, executive director, Lihok Pilipina Foundation Inc.

The successful forum ended with a determined cry, “Say No To Violence Now!”

POSE. Eighteen Zontians pose with the VIPs of the day. Seated front with Zonta president Dr. Vivien Seno; and project chairperson Dr. Elsa Basubas (third and second from right), are Ernie ManatadSubangdaku, Association of Barangay Captains president,...

HELP. Patients undergo breast cancer detection procedures.

SMILE. Zonta members pose with the volunteers led by Zonta president Dr. Vivien Seno (seated second from right).

GROUP. Zontians and forum speaker Dr. Pureza Oñate (seated front, second from right), with doctors Flor Miel, Vivien Seno and Elsa Basubas.

APPRECIATION. After the forum, a certificate of appreciation is handed to speaker Virginia Santiago (second from right), by club president Dr. Vivien Seno (left), and project chairperson Dr. Elsa Basubas (second from left), as Councilor Cynthia Remedio...

SERVICE. Zonta doctors Vivien Seno (left) and Elsa Basubas orienting the patients about their services.