The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Local Government Academy (LGA) signed a three-year partnership agreement that aims to elevate gender responsiveness in local governance.

PCW and LGA expressed commitment to work together in amplifying advocacy for gender equality and women's empowerment for better and inclusive public service and sustainable development in the localities.

PCW Executive Director Atty. Kristine Rosary E. Yuzon-Chaves said the joint partnership will "scale up the quality of public service and cultivate a culture of excellence in local governance and strengthen LGA's institutional capacity on gender mainstreaming.

"We also hope to learn from the LGA as the capacity development arm of the DILG in the effective delivery of technical assistance to our LGU stakeholders," Yuzon-Chaves added.

LGA Executive Director Thelma T. Vecina vowed that the partnership will bring a gender-responsive institution that can influence gender-sensitive local governance to benefit communities.

“We commit to ensuring that our programs and services for local governments will not invite discrimination of any kind and leave no one behind. We commit to work in unity with the national government to ensure that our local government units become exemplars of women empowerment and gender equality and we will ensure that our local leaders will become champions of gender mainstreaming,” Vecina added.

The partnership is anchored on gender mainstreaming -- a strategy being implemented pursuant to the Magna Carta of Women, aiming to eradicate gender discrimination in the policies, plans, procedures, programs, and structures of government organizations.

With the agreement, PCW and LGA are expected to work hand in hand in promoting, protecting, and fulfilling women's rights, especially those in the marginalized and vulnerable sectors in the grassroots.