19/04/2025
Building Sustainable Communities through Women's Empowerment! 🌿
The Social Work Department recently conducted a meaningful Community Extension Project titled "Women Empowerment through Self-Help Groups" with the Garbe Women Agricultural Cooperative in Buldon, Maguindanao del Norte, on April 9-10, 2025. This research-based extension project aimed to
✅ Build social capital and networks through an engaging forum with the MAFAR Municipal Office of Buldon, represented by Mr. Hamdi Mamoribid; the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority, represented by Mr. Lininding Pangandaman; and the RSW and Municipal Cooperative and Development Officer, Mr. Faizal Manalao.
✅ Enhance gender awareness to promote inclusivity and equality. Asst. Professor Zajarah M. Duma facilitated a training session on gender sensitivity.
✅ Strengthen organizational capacity with a seminar-workshop on strategic planning, facilitated by Dr. Marwisa Salam and Chelo M. Bunao, and on entrepreneurial leadership, facilitated by Noraida A. Akad and Norkaina C. Samama.
This initiative is just the beginning of fostering sustainable change and empowerment in our community! This extension project aims to advance and contribute to achieving the following key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
🔹 SDG 5 (Gender Equality)—Enhanced gender awareness to empower women in leadership and decision-making.
🔹 SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth): Strengthened entrepreneurial leadership and organizational capacity for sustainable livelihoods.
🔹 SDG 10 (reduced inequalities)—Social capital was fostered through multi-sectoral collaboration and inclusive forums.
🔹 SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals)—key agencies were engaged to drive collective action for community resilience.e.
The project is spearheaded by its project leader, Dr. Norkaina C. Samama, RSW, En. P., under the supervision of the Office of Extension Services, headed by its director, Dr. Samsia A. Ibrahim, and under the transformative leadership of the university president, Prof. Sema G. Dilna.
The project team expressed its appreciation to all its partners, especially to the BLGU of Karim, Buldon, headed by Hon. Atty. Cader Manalao, for the warm accommodation.
This initiative reflects the university's unwavering mission to leverage education and partnerships to uplift communities and foster sustainable socio-economic change!