The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) facilitated the conduct of Gender Sensitivity Training on August 6-8, 2024 at the Apacible Conference Room in Quezon City as part of the Agency’s commitment to continuous service improvement and capacity building for its employees.
The agency’s Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS), in collaboration with the Partnership Development Division Capacity Development Section (PDD-CDS) and the Human Resource Development Committee (HRDC), facilitated the three-day training. The activity is aimed to enhance the learners’ knowledge and understanding of gender sensitivity and encourage appreciation for gender differences.
In her opening message, GAD-FPS Chairperson Floreliz Avellana emphasized the importance of not only upholding the equal opportunities for men and women but also learning about gender analysis, which is essential in drafting the GAD plans and budget.
A total of 26 participants, composed of GAD-FPS members and selected PCAF personnel, attended the training. These participants were chosen for their potential to contribute to GAD-FPS.
Gender Consultant Maria Daryl Lardizabal Leyesa, an accredited subject matter specialist by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), served as the Resource Person. She discussed the introduction to gender and development, concepts and definitions, and how gender is being constructed. Leyesa also explained the manifestations of gender biases, gender issues mapping and response, and legal mandates and policy imperatives on GAD and gender mainstreaming,
On the last day, the resource speaker discussed introduction to GAD planning and budgeting which includes the vision of a gender-fair society, and commitment setting vis-à-vis GAD plan.
GAD-FPS Vice-Chairperson Conchita del Rosario encouraged the participants to continue their awareness, appreciation and common level of understanding on gender sensitivity and convince others about it. “It is a continuous process of learning and applying what we learned in this training,” she said. | Jane Briña
