National Women’s Month Celebration every March is celebrated as part of the worldwide observance of the International Women’s Day and to highlight the contributions of women in the society.

Pursuance to Proclamation No. 224 series 1998 declaring the first week of March each year as Women’s Week, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII, as the Chair of the Regional Gender and Development Council (RGADC) XII, in partnership with the Association of Regional Development Executives (ARDE) XII,  spearheaded the 2020 National Women's Month Celebration (NWMC) "Kick-Off Ceremony" with a theme: “We Make Change Work for Women”. The event was held last 02 March 2020 at the office of the host agency during  their monthly convocation - the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Regional Office XlI, Prime Regional Government Center, Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

 The activity started with a motorcade right after the flag ceremony which was participated by different agencies, institutions and other stakeholders in Region XII. Moreover, other activities which simultaneously conducted at the BFP XII Regional Office are: bloodletting/bloodtyping, booth for legal assistance for women, manicure, pedicure, cosmetics, haircut, and body massage, provision of vegetable and fruit seeds and seedlings, provision of tree seedlings and zumba.

The National Nutrition Council XII took part in the celebration by joining in the kick-off ceremony, hanging the 2020 NWMC streamer and spreading the advocacy online.

2020 is the year of turning point in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) in the Philippines. Empowering women is an effective means to combat poverty, hunger and disease. It is anessential way to ensure the sustainable development of the country.