Sixty (60) employees of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recently underwent a three-day training on Gender and Development (GAD) entitled "Training on Gender Sensitivity and Lecture on Major GAD Policies, Laws, Rules and Regulations."

The training, which was spearheaded by the GAD Focal Person, was part of MGB's continuing program to mainstream gender concerns to make women's as well as men's concerns an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs as mandated under Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women.

Ms. Loren A. Umali, former deputy director of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and GAD technical consultant for various agencies, was the main resource speaker.

"All offices have a GAD plan and budget to attend to women's needs and issues," Umali said. "GAD Programs should be client-focused and organizational-focused," she added.

The discussions centered on the difference between sex and gender, the situation of men and women then and now, gender biases, major GAD policies and laws, planning and auditing of GAD programs and funds, and the Magna Carta of Women.

In her message, Ms. Liz Cherry Solijon, MGB GAD Focal Person, expressed expectation that the training will produce new GAD advocates from the participants. She also concluded the seminar through a string of fun awards dedicated to those who stood out during the three-day session, including Most Outstanding Participant, Mr. and Ms. Congeniality, Best Dressed, Best in Cheering, and Early Bird.

The training was held from March 30 - April 1, 2016 at the Icon Hotel in EDSA, Q.C.

By: MGB Gender and Development Focal Point System

Gender and Development Seminar attendees.