In keeping with the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, the Gender and Development Focal Point System of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted the Gender Sensitivity Training on December 6, 2022 at the MGB Regional Office No. XIII Training Center in Surigao City.
With the theme “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines”, this year’s campaign underscores the powerful impact of combining individual efforts towards a collaborative and united thrust towards a VAW-free Philippines. It is an affirmation of the unceasing anti-VAW efforts in line with the Philippines’ 20th year of participation in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Attended by the MGB Regional Office No. XIII employees, the said training started with the Welcome Remarks of Regional Director Larry M. Heradez who emphasized that educating women, together with men, is indispensable because it enables them to play vital roles and participate in nation building and all-inclusive development. As such, education is instrumental in preserving women’s empowerment. RD Heradez reminded the participants that it is their collective duty to promote awareness on all forms of gender-based violence. He then encouraged them to uphold the role of women, together with men, as advocates of optimal learning, social accountability and authentic transformation in society.
The training proper commenced after the preliminaries. Ms. Abigail M. Tiu, Chief Human Resource Specialist of Civil Service Commission Caraga Regional Office, served as the Training Facilitator. The training centered on basic gender concepts and principles, gender issues and gender sensitivity which were explored through engaging workshops and activities in which the participants keenly took part. Ms. Tiu imparted a considerable amount of learning and led the participants in the discussions about how these issues are handled in the workplace in particular and the society in general.
After the training proper, the viewing of a documentary film entitled Mga Babae Sa Ating Buhay ensued which allowed the participants to reflect on the different roles that women play and instill in them an appreciation of their singular contributions to their respective callings and the community. The film was produced as part of the Manifestations of Gender Bias Lecture Concert of Inang Laya for Gender Seminars of Harnessing Self-Reliant Initiatives, Inc. and Sheba Productions.
The activity concluded with a ceremony wherein the Training Facilitator led the participants in offering their support to relatives, friends and other women who are victims of domestic and gender-based violence.
To formally end the activity, Engr. Verlin Marie M. Baldapan, Mine Management Division Chief, delivered the Closing Remarks and Ms. Rhodora B. Tan, MGB Regional Office No. XIII Focal Person, expressed her appreciation to the employees for their active participation. The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW supports the Philippine government’s goal of preserving the human rights of women and girls by upholding its commitment to address all forms of gender-based violence as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. With the enactment of Republic Act 10398 or the Act declaring November 25 of every year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAWC, government agencies are mandated to strengthen awareness on the problem of violence and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
