Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu!

My warm greetings to each and everyone from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform.

As we commemorate the Women’s Month Celebration, let us appreciate and give thanks to the effort of all women throughout the world.

We pay tribute to women empowerment as we celebrate women’s month, with this year’s theme, “FATIMA laban sa pandemiya: KAYA!”. We take this opportunity to honor and recognize the contribution and role of women, especially the Bangsamoro women in society.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform or (MAFAR) truly recognized all the endeavors and sacrifices of our dear women. Celebrating their special day despite the presence of the pandemic brings them the courage to be more prowess in doing such meaningful things.

Gender and development or GAD program have been supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform. The ministry allocates 5% of its total budget for the realization of the said program in support of Republic act 7192 or the Women in Development and Nation Building Act.

This law promotes the integration of women as full and equal partners with men in development and nation-building. Despite the uncertainties, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform is optimistic in delivering the services to the Bangsamoro women by strengthening its gender and development policy, anchoring all its programs and services to recognize the major role of women in the three sectors: agriculture, fisheries, and agrarian reform.

This will gradually increase the participation of women in the different projects and programs of the ministry that will greatly help in improving their lives.

Let us continue to support the advocacy of National Women’s month, where all FATIMAs, all Bangsamoro women, can make a change.

Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu.