In line with the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, the Bureau of Plant Industry – Gender and Development Focal Point System (BPI-GADFPS) successfully conducted a Gender Sensitivity Training and Introduction to Basic GAD Concepts on December 11-12, 2024, at the Director’s Office Conference Room, BPI, Manila.
The training, designed for new members of BPI-GADFPS and Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (MOVE), aimed to build a shared understanding of basic GAD concepts like sex, gender, and SOGIESC through the lens of human rights and diversity, awareness of national and international GAD mandates and commitments, and learn how to analyze gender issues in agriculture and reflect on personal beliefs and experiences.
Topics covered included Human Rights, Diversity and Inclusion, Intersectionality, Equality and Equity, and foundational concepts such as Social Construction of Gender, Gender Division of Labor (GDOL), Manifestations of Gender Biases, Gender Issues/Gender Analysis, the Magna Carta of Women and other Legal GAD Mandates.
Participants, including online attendees, engaged in the discussions and shared personal experiences of gender biases and discrimination. These contributed to identifying key gender issues within the Bureau, along with proposed recommendations and interventions. The seminar also emphasized fostering camaraderie among participants as they worked together to advance gender-responsive initiatives.
BPI Director Dr. Gerald Glenn Panganiban delivered an inspiring message, encouraging the participants to continue what they do best and inspire others, regardless of their identity and expression, to better serve the farmers.
The resource speaker, Ms. Maria Daryl Leyesa, a member of the Philippine Commission on Women’s National GAD Resource Pool and Project Coordinator for the Sexual Health Empowerment (SHE) Advocacy at the Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK), provided insights and practical approaches to gender sensitivity and empowerment.
Organized by BPI-GADFPS in collaboration with the Human Resource Section (HRS), the training reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to fostering gender equality, inclusivity, and responsive practices within its operations and services for the agriculture sector.
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