UCGAD holds Gender Sensitivity Training for NAPOCOR employees, stakeholders

A two-day Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) was facilitated by the University Center for Gender and Development (UCGAD) for the employees and stakeholders of the National Power Corporation-Watershed Management Division held at Pulangi Watershed Area Team (PULWAT) Training Center, Kiuntod, Camp-1, Maramag, Bukidnon, on June 29-30.

The National Power Corporation-Watershed Management Division organized this activity as part of their capability enhancement seminar in gender and development.  The National Power Corporation recognizes the importance of gender equality as a fundamental value that should be reflected in the development programs of the organization.

According to Engr. Ericson M. Mendoza, Section Chief, PULWAT, that through this GST, PULWAT staff, farmer beneficiaries, concerned BLGUs, and other stakeholders would be better equipped to understand and appreciate each other’s role.

“This training would teach our employees to operate appropriately amongst an equal and diverse workforce. Both advantages are considered essential to implementing and achieving our vision and targets,” Engr. Mendoza asserted.

Meanwhile, twenty-eight (28) participants from different units of the National Power Corporation-Watershed Management Division and their stakeholders from the Municipality of Maramag participated the training. Some of the participants shared their takeaways from the training.

One of the participants, Ms. Concepcion C.  Pacatang, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO-Maramag), shared her appreciation of the training.

“Daghan ang akong nakutlo nga dugang kasayuran about gender ug dako akong pasalamat nga na include ang MENRO. I decided to join kay para ma apply ang akong natun-an sa akong present job (There are many information I learned about gender and I am happy MENRO was included in this training. I decided to join because I want to apply what I learned in my present job),” Ms. Pacatang shared.

Moreover, the head of the organizing committee also praised the UCGAD team for the success of the training.

“Nindot and pagka han-ay gikan sa workshop hangtud sa topics (The sequence from the workshop to the topics is great). The team provided a unique training experience, starting with a workshop and then a discussion. They provided us knowledge and additional skills and wisdom—excellent!” Engr. Mendoza shared.

The training covered six (6) topics: Sex and Gender; Gender Role Socialization and Development of Gender Stereotypes; Manifestations of Gender Biases and Issues; Addressing Gender Biases and Issues; Gender and Environment-Relationship Between Them; and Orientation on Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG).

Included in the training were the two interactive workshops to assess the participants understanding and training retention. Aside from the topics and the workshops, there were leveling session, pre-test, post-test, and evaluation facilitated by the GAD Secretariat and the selected GAD Focal Persons of the University. This is the second GST provided for stakeholders outside the university for this year. The first GST was requested by BUPHARCO-Valencia in March.

The UCGAD team was led by Dr. Hazel Marie R. Boloron, UCGAD Chief together with Ms. Lilibeth C. Sale and Ms. Lenie I. Padlilla (UCGAD Staff), Ms. Chona D. Amoncio (GFP-Extension), Ms. Merlyn O. Gamil (GFP-Registrar), Ms. Virma Faith T. Dayondon (GFP-CAS), Ms. Iyren Dalipe Neri (GFP-PRIO), Mr. Vincent T. Natad (GFP-OASP), Mr. Nolan Earl E. Guzman (GFP-HRMO), and Dr. Rodriga B. Aguinsatan (CFES faculty).

Providing services for gender mainstreaming is one of the mandates and is aligned with the vision and mission of the University Center for Gender and Development (UCGAD).  The UCGAD aims to help contribute to development in a holistic, gender-fair, and empowering manner and to sustain the gender mainstreaming efforts within the region. _{[Iyren Dalipe Neri]}

_{Photos from CMU Center for Gender and Development}