NGO bares poor plight of Samareñas

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
March 31, 2008

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Katungod han Samareña Foundation Incorporated (KSFI), a non government organization (NGO) based in Samar’s capital town, bared the dismal condition of women in Samar province based on statistics.

In the initial meeting of Samar women stakeholders on March 26, 2008, KSFI enumerated women’s issues that seemed ignored by poor governance as cited.

According to national statistics, 23% of trafficked women come from Samar, it added that at least one of five prostitutes in the sex trade dens are Samareñas.

Another glaring reality mentioned is that for every 1000 live births, six women die in delivery. Samar, the data added, is one with the highest maternal mortality rates. It could be worse, KSFI averred, these are only reported cases and some of the cases might have not even been reported.

Infant mortality rate is also high, citing that in 2006 it recorded seven deaths. Again, it stressed that these cases are those reported only.

As to malnutrition, again, Samar province has 23% malnutrition rate, one of the highest malnutrition cases in the country.

KSFI stated that gender issues like poverty, warped values and poor governance are the root causes of the destitute situation the Samar women are in.

With the foregoing facts presented, KSFI aims to mobilize women and even men supporters to establish, re activate Samar Provincial Gender and Development (GAD) Council to push for mainstreaming gender issues and concerns into the development agenda of the province.

It also urges the LGUs to strictly adhere to the General Appropriations Act (GAA), NEDA and DILG Joint Circular Memorandum mandating the allocation of at least 5% of their budget to gender and development.