The Antipolo City local government launched a gender sensitivity training program to Rizalenyos as part of its efforts in creating a gender sensitive and conscious environment to its citizens especially the youth.
According to Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares, 1st year students, faculty, and staff members of the Antipolo Institute of Technology (AiTech) participated in the said program.
"Ilan sa mga natalakay ay ang Gender and Development Program (GAD), Gender Issues, Gender Fair Language, at gabay para sa paglikha ng mga non-sexist writings (Some of the topics tackled include Gender and Development Program, Gender Issues, Gender Fair Language, and other guides in creating non-sexist writings)," Ynares said.
"Hakbangin natin ito tungo sa pagbubuo ng mga polisiya, proyekto at mga programa na pantay na mapakikinabangan ng lahat ng kasarian - anuman ang estado at katayuan sa buhay (This is a part of our goal in creating policies, projects, and programs that are fair and can be used by all genders regardless of their status in life)," he added.
The GAD approach seeks to analyse the causes of gender inequality within the context of relations between women and men and normative social structures, as well as to change stereotyped divisions of labour, institutions and systems that cause and contribute to gender disparities.
The Department of Education (DepEd) previously launched its Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy or DepEd Order No 32, s.2017 which seeks to enable the agency to undertake gender-mainstreaming in education to address both enduring and emerging gender and sexuality-related issues in basic education, to promote the protection of children from all forms of gender-related violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and bullying, and to promote gender equality and non-discrimination in the workplace.
The said policy covers officials and employees of the DepEd; officials and employees of private elementary, junior, and senior high schools; and learners of public and private elementary, junior, and senior high schools, and of learning centers for Special Education and Alternative Learning Systems and laboratory schools of State Universities and Colleges, and Local Universities and Colleges.