DSWD, UNFPA one in addressing gender, dev’t issues in PH

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have committed to strengthen partnership in addressing gender and development issues in the country.

The commitment was made during the online courtesy call initiated by DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista on Sept. 23, 2021 via online video conferencing.

“The activity was a testimony of the continued partnership of the DSWD and the UNFPA in addressing concerns on gender and development, specifically in promoting sexual and reproductive health of women and children, and in capacitating local government units in their delivery of social welfare and development programs and services,” the DSWD said in a statement.

Newly appointed UNFPA Country Representative in the Philippines Dr. Leila Joudane, UNFPA Officer-in-Charge Assistant Country Representative Dr. Joseph Singh, other UNFPA staff, DSWD Executive and Management Committee members, and other DSWD personnel attended the courtesy call.

The DSWD said it has “ongoing collaboration with the UNFPA in conducting capacity-building activities related to gender-based violence case management.”

It likewise thanked the UNFPA for donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to DSWD Residential Care Facilities in the National Capital Region (NCR) to assist in the agency’s COVID-19 prevention measures.

“Through the courtesy call, the Department is hopeful that more collaborative efforts with the UNFPA will be established, especially in the provision of support to youth and women at-risks during the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.