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Bridging the gap between NMI’s diverse cultures
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Posted on Mar 22 2000
With the Northern Marianas being a home to more than 20 ethnic groups from all over Asia, Europe and the United States, a newly-established organization of Filipino women are holding a seminar-workshop aimed at bridging the gap between the islands’ diverse cultures.
The Marianas Filipino Women Association is urging peers of different ethnic background to attend the symposium, which aims to establish a balance between respect and preservation of cultural identity, on Saturday at the Saipan Diamond Hall.
However, members of the opposite sex are also encouraged to attend the seminar in order to get insight on the multi-faceted roles women play in the society.
Mafilwa project director Cindy Macaranas said the symposium is expected to attract more than 100 women-participants from majority, if not all, of the existing ethnic groups in the Northern Marianas.
According to Ms. Macaranas, participants will be given the opportunity to discuss various issues such as sexual harassment, stereo-typing, domestic violence, education, safety nets in delivery of social services and the roles played by women in the family.
The symposium is aimed at examining the different cultures in the Northern Marianas that influence the societal gender-based perception and attitude, as well as establish a balance between observance of human rights and gender equality.
Participants can grab the chance to learn from the workshop’s speakers including Fr. Gary Bradley, Barbara Moir, Sr. Estella Mangona, Cinta Kaipat, Pastor Jaime Vergara and Education Commissioner Rita Inos.
The symposium is divided into three plenary sessions: cultural biases against women; social structures; and cultural linkages for areas of cooperation.
Ms. Macaranas pointed out that despite global efforts to completely eradicate some of the more glaring forms of gender discrimination, gender equality remains a distant dream for the majority of the world’s women.
Mafilwa is an organization of more than 20 Filipino women dedicated to fostering increased female participation in male-dominated activities.
