Legazpi City—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol spearheaded a capacity building activity on Gender Statistics Collection and Identification of Gender Issues in the Workplace in Legazpi City last May 15-16, 2019.

“Aside from client-focused interventions, DSWD Bicol would like to improve more on implementing interventions for our workers and the organization,” DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia said.

Also, the training would like to ensure and sustain gender mainstreaming activities in DSWD.

The 26 members of the DSWD Bicol’s Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System underwent a two-day training with Atty. Arlene Alangco, regional director of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Bicol.

For the first day, she discussed Basic Human Rights Concept, CHR powers and functions, Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Sexual Harassment Act and Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act. On the second day, she talked about Gender Mainstreaming, GAD FPS, gender data disaggregation, workplace issues and the roles of Committee on Decorum and Investigation of sexual harassment

Thus, participants are expected to establish gender statistics and identify gender issues in the workplace to be included in the 2020 GAD Plan and Budget (GPB).

Last 2018, the DSWD Bicol spent P210 million for GAD-related programs and activities. For the same year, DSWD Bicol served 166 women in difficult circumstances and 101 children in need of special protection by providing counselling services, referral for legal, medical, and psychological assistance and helping clients serve barangay/temporary protection order file appropriate charges to perpetrators.

GAD FPS is a group that in DSWD that ensures gender mainstreaming and implement Magna Carta for Women at DSWD Bicol.