Davao City Plans First Dedicated Women's Centre for Support and Empowerment

Davao City may soon have a dedicated women’s centre after Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. proposed its establishment. The initiative aims to create a safe space for women to gather, share concerns, and access specialised support. With nearly half of the city’s 1.78 million residents being women, the need for such a facility has grown clearer. The proposal was formally moved for first reading during a recent council session. It has since been referred to the oversight committee and the Committee on Women for further review. While no site has been finalised, Councilor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. highlighted several city-owned locations that could host the centre.

Davao City already offers women-focused services through existing facilities. These include the Sidlakan Women Crisis Center, VAWC protection desks, and the Brokenshire Women’s Center, which provides reproductive health and clinical care. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also operates the Home for Girls and Women in the city. To fund the new centre, the Integrated Gender and Development Division has set aside a budget. The proposed facility would expand on current services by offering a centralised space for advocacy, counselling, and community-building.

The women’s centre would add to Davao City’s existing support network for women. If approved, it will provide a dedicated hub for discussions, resources, and empowerment programmes. The next steps depend on the council’s review and site selection process.