Davao City is taking a significant step towards bolstering its support for women, with a councilor formally proposing the establishment of a dedicated women's center in the city.
Councilor Mahipus Champions a Dedicated Space for Women
Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr., who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod's oversight committee, delivered a privilege speech on Monday, January 12, 2025, advocating for the facility. He emphasized that the center would provide a vital hub for women from all sectors to convene, discuss pressing issues, and access crucial support services.
Mahipus revealed that the city's Integrated Gender and Development Division has already allocated a budget for the project. The current challenge, however, is the lack of an available site. He noted that Councilor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., head of the City-Owned Real Properties Committee, has identified several potential city-owned locations for the center.
The councilor successfully moved to have the proposal considered on first reading and requested a formal study on its creation. The matter has been referred to both the oversight committee and the Committee on Women for thorough review.
Existing Support Network for Women in Davao
While the new center is proposed, Davao City already maintains a network of services for women and children. A key facility is the government-run Sidlakan Women Crisis Center, operated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). It offers comprehensive aid including:
- Temporary shelter
- Counseling and psychosocial support
- Legal assistance
- Skills training and food provision
- Reintegration services for victims of violence or abuse
The city also has Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) protection desks established in various institutions, offices, and barangays. These desks provide immediate social services and coordinate community-level support.
At the national level, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) runs the Home for Girls and Women, a shelter offering protection and accommodation. The private sector contributes as well, with institutions like the Brokenshire Women's Center providing specialized reproductive health and clinical care services.
A Center for a Growing Female Population
The push for a centralized women's center addresses the needs of a significant portion of Davao's population. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Davao City has a total population of 1,776,949. Nearly half of this number, precisely 873,524 individuals, are women.
The proposed center aims to consolidate and enhance the city's advocacy for women's empowerment, providing a physical symbol of commitment and a functional space to address the evolving needs of Davao's women.
