Six IP Communities in Bukidnon undergo Gender Sensitivity Orientation

The University Center for Gender and Development (UCGAD) conducted a series of Gender Sensitivity Orientation (GSO) to six IP communities around Bukidnon identified as coffee farmers/producers in their locality.

Among the six IP communities are:  Manobo-Talaandig Tribe of Brgy. Panalsalan, Maramag; Manobo-Talaandig Tribe in Brgy. Lumbayao, Valencia City; Talaandig Tribe in Brgy. Songco, Lantapan; Bukidnon Tribe in Brgy. Dalwangan, Malaybalay City; Talaandig-Higaonon Tribe in Brgy. Mirayon, Talakag; and Manobo-Matigsalug Tribe in Brgy. Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon. The series of orientations started last March 11 and commenced last July 30.

This series of orientations is part of the “USWAG TA Program: A Social Enterprise Engagement Towards Indigenous Knowledge Protection, Poverty Alleviation, Food Security and Quality Education: Capability Building Program for Indigenous Coffee Growers in Bukidnon,” a program under the University Extension Office.

Gender has been acknowledged as a vital component of the USWAG TA program as it is believed that the coffee farmers’ gender awareness and capability building is empowerment in everyday life as it enhances the capability of participants to engage in coffee production with a clear understanding of equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.

According to UCGAD Chief Dr. Hazel Marie R. Boloron, the activity aims to train coffee farmers to become well-oriented on gender and allows them to recognize the significance of gender in their everyday lives through gender sensitivity orientation.

“It is a sort of exposure on how to behave and carry themselves not as coffee planters alone but as members of a family who has to work together and improve [the] relationship among themselves,” she added.

Meanwhile, one of the participants from the Talaandig tribe in Songco expressed her gratefulness to the GAD Focal Persons and TWGs for facilitating the activity.

“Mapasalamaton kaayo ko nga adunay Gender Sensitivity Orientation nga gipahigayon sa among komunidad kay arun matagaan ug awareness ang katawhan sa komunidad arun mas magpabilin pa ang kalinaw ug malikayan ang mga isyu bahin sa diskriminasyon sa gender sa matag miyembro sa komunidad” I am grateful that a Gender Sensitivity Orientation is being held in our community because it will raise awareness among community members about the importance of maintaining peace and avoiding issues related to gender discrimination,” Dianne Saway Kinuyog

The GSO comprises three topics: Sex and Gender with Dr. Hazel Marie R. Boloron as a resource person; Gender Roles Socialization with Mr. Nolan Earl Guzman, GFP-HRMO; Ms. Lealei Bonggas, GFP-CAS; and Ms. Iyren Dalipe-Neri. GFP-PRIO as resource persons; and Manifestations of Gender Biases and Issues with Dr. Josephine Gascon, GFP-OSA;  Ms. Juna Mae Bagares, GFP-CBM; and Mr. Vincent Natad, GFP-OASP as resource persons.

It also has two workshops that enable the participants to familiarize themselves and internalize gender concepts in their community. The sex and gender workshop is facilitated by Dr. Josephine Arbes, GFP-CA, and Ms. Merelyn Gamil, GFP-Registrar, while the Manifestations of Gender Issues workshop is facilitated by Ms. Iyren Dalipe-Neri, GFP-PRIO and Mr. Vincent Natad, GFP-OASP.

The activities were also facilitated by Dr. Laarni Lacandula, GFP-CFES; Ms. Chona Amoncio, GFP-Extension; Ms. Verna Camaso, GFP-Supply; and Ms. Lilibeth Sale and Ms. Rhea Anggelyn Bagongon, UCGAD Staff.  

These extension activities are also part of the GAD mainstreaming efforts of the university as mandated by law, especially in the integration and adoption of research, extension, and advocacy programs on gender sensitivity and women empowerment. [Iyren Dalipe Neri]