Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), through the PFDA - Gender and Development Focal Point System (PFDA-GAD FPS), continues to champion gender inclusivity and equality this 2022 National Women’s Month by conducting an online Gender Sensitivity Orientation, held on March 21, 2022.
Dr. Excelsa C. Tongson, Deputy Director for Training and Outreach at the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), served as the resource speaker for the event. During her presentation, Dr. Tongson taught the participants how to differentiate sex and gender and help them become more gender sensitive and gender transformative.
Moreover, Dr. Tongson carefully dissected the true meaning of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sexual Characteristics (SOGIESC) and how to make things better for everyone and create an inclusive and gender transformative workplace and community.
"We all have the right to define and be proud of our SOCIESC. Everyone has unique SOGIESC, and we have to celebrate this diversity and support our friends and relatives towards human flourishing... To make things better, anyone should have the opportunity to participate in the things that matter to them, like a decent standard of living and access to work. Walang problema sa inyo. You are perfectly okay," Dr. Tongson said.
In addition, Dr. Tongson noted that regardless of our SOGIESC, we need to have social protection and health care services from the government. She also discussed how to become an ally of SOCIESC.
During the open forum, Dr. Tongson responded to SOGIESC-related queries and clarifications from the participants. Several attendants expressed their appreciation for this initiative to champion gender sensitivity in the workplace.
For the closing remarks, Mr. Miguel M. Pilarta, Head of the Committee on Advocacy, Linkages, and Capacity Building, thanked everyone who actively participated in the event. He expressed his appreciation to Dr. Tongson for her unwavering support to PFDA-GADFPS and its advocacy to have a gender inclusive and gender transformative workplace.
“It's never too late to unlearn the misconceptions about SOGIESC. Hindi pa natatapos ang learnings sa GSO na ito because we are here to guide you and enlighten you in this learning process. I hope hindi dito tumigil ang ating learning and let us spread the word of GAD sa ating mga ka-opisina. Happy Women's Month po sa ating lahat. Abante babae!,” Mr. Pilarta said.
Some 50 representatives from various PFDA Central Office units and Regional Fish Ports (RFPs) actively participated in the online discussion about gender sensitivity.
Mr. Mc Christian Julius A. Macaranas II, head of PFDA GAD Focal Point System TWG, served as the moderator and host for the said activity.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division)