31 March 2026 – Kicking off the observance of Girl Child Week 2026 and in celebration of Women’s Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary (PCG Calgary) successfully delivered a comprehensive lineup of community‑focused programs on 21 March 2026, offering legal assistance, migrant worker support, women’s empowerment activities, a Special Lane for Women for Overseas Voters (OV) registration, and Saturday Consular Services to Filipinos across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
In her remarks, Consul General Emma Sarne shared that “advancement of women’s rights is not a finished task – it is a continuing responsibility, and today’s gathering reflects that responsibility in a meaningful way.”
The day began with its morning session focused on migrant worker support and legal assistance. Volunteer lawyers from Shim Law, BDL Family Law, SVR Lawyers, Masuch Law, Hendrix Law, and Gregorio Law, conducted a Free Legal Clinic, providing clients with legal information and guidance as they accessed other services offered throughout the day.
In conjunction with this, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Information Session, led by representatives from MWO Vancouver, featured resource speakers from the Consulate, the MWO, the Government of Alberta and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), delivering a half‑day program on employment, settlement, and worker protection.
Running concurrently with the morning sessions and continuing throughout the day, PCG Calgary also held a Pop‑Up Market for WomenPreneurs (PUMP) 2.0, where women entrepreneurs showcased their crafts, food products, and services. WomenPreneurs include: Gaia’s Portrait, Mash Bites, Radiant Drops IV Therapy Clinic, Ice Skating Academy of Calgary, Bloom Twist Creations, Choppin’ by IC Food Services, and Elite Asian Cuisine. CCIS, Canadian Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA), Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA), and Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre (DDRC) also shared information materials with gender-responsive core messages at their #GivetoGain Corner.
In the afternoon, the #WEGiveToGain Sharing Circles brought together community members, advocates, and service providers for discussions on the protection and fair treatment of the girl child and women with disabilities. Expert presentations on parenting, settlement services, consent education, disability support, and intergenerational experiences set the stage for meaningful group dialogues that promoted reflection and understanding toward a more gender‑inclusive community.
To further expand access to government services, and running in parallel throughout the day, the Consulate also offered its monthly Saturday Consular Services and the Special Lane for Women Overseas Voters (OV) registration, providing weekend processing for passports, civil registry documents, and notarial services – an important option for Filipinos unable to avail of services on weekdays.
Connecting the day’s events with the #WeGivetoGain theme, Consul General Sarne explained that “when we share our knowledge, our experiences, our time, and our expertise, we do not lose anything. We gain deeper understanding, deeper connections, and most importantly, we gain the ability to respond more effectively to the needs of those who rely on us. Not only empowering them but also strengthening ourselves, as a community.” END
