In its pursuit to mainstream gender and development (GAD) in the agency, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) conducted a virtual Knowledge Unloading Day (KUD) activity highlighting the use of gender-fair language to a total of 157 employees and members of its Consultative Bodies from different regions on March 21, 2024.
The KUD aims to forge understanding of GAD using the lens of human rights, diversity, and intersectionality, and practice it through the use of gender-fair language, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
“Kung gusto nating malaman kung gender sensitive na tayo, masusukat natin ito sa paggamit sa ating lenguahe, paggamit ng mga salitang akma at may respeto sa kapwa, lalo na sa mga kababaihan,” said Pambanang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) Maria Daryl Leyesa, who served as the resource person of t
he activity.
Leysa, a Philippine Commission on Women- accredited resource person under the National GAD Resource Pool, also provides technical assistance to government agencies on Gender Sensitivity and Gender Analysis, Gender Mainstreaming, Gender Planning and Budgeting.
On the other hand, OIC Deputy Executive Director Cyril Soliaban mentioned that embracing a gender-fair language allows PCAF and its CBs to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of all individuals- women, men and those who identify otherwise- within the agency and across organizations in the society. It also cultivates a more inviting environment for all stakeholders involved in the sector,
Aside from understanding GAD, the KUD also promotes understanding of sex, gender, and one’s sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex characteristics or commonly known as SOGIESC.
Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management Division Assistant Division Chief Catherine Viray emphasized the importance of “religiously applying what we learned” and it will all start by properly addressing women and using gender-fair language in all occasions and in PCAF’s activities such as consultations, monitoring and evaluation, and in policy-making processes.
KUD is part of PCAF’s celebration of the National Women’s Month in March initiated by the Knowledge Management Section. PCAF has been conducting KUDs to institutionalize a learning culture within and among PCAF staff and stakeholders. | Jezebel Campaniel
