To cap off the month-long celebration of 2022 National Women’s Month, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) held a virtual talk series entitled “Usapang Lalaki: Understanding Masculinity in Women Issues and Gender Advancement” on March 25, 2022.
Through its Gender and Development Focal Point System (PFDA-GAD FPS), today’s webinar aims to provide the audience a basic understanding of masculinity as a key gender issue, its relationship to women issues such as violence against women (VAW), and how addressing issues of masculinities is essential to advancing gender equality.
Mr. John Erwin S. Bañez, Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines – College of Social Work and Community Development (UP CSWCD), served as the first speaker where he discussed “Pagkalalake: Sanhi ba ito ng diskriminasyon at pag-aabuso?”.
During his discussion, Mr. Bañez talked about how we build and change the concept of masculinity. The professor said that we tend to put labels and level masculinity, depending on who is considered as masculine and not, which can result in discrimination. He noted that discrimination begins because we have a set standard in men.
Moreover, Mr. Bañez also defined toxic masculinity and ways to address this destructive notion. He noted that masculinity can be a basis of support. Mr. Bañez said that there are other definitions of masculinity, and we can be masculine without being toxic.
“Tandaan po natin na men can be sensitive, caring, gentle, artsy, affectionate, and pretty, among others. Ngayon pa lang, pwede tayo magkaroon ng choice na pwedeng may ibang paraan ng pagtrato at pagpapalaki sa mga batang lalaki so that they can be better men than us… Umpisa pa lang ito. Mahirap ang adjustment pero tuloy-tuloy lang po tayo. We are all a work in progress,” Mr. Bañez said.
Later in the day, Mr. Reynaldo G. De Guia, National Chairperson of Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere (MOVE) – Philippines, served as the second guest speaker where he talked about the virtues and principles being upheld by MOVE Philippines.
MOVE Philippines is an advocate of principled men which dedicated themselves to being actively involved in eliminating all forms of discrimination against women, particularly VAWC.
During his presentation, Mr. De Guia shared an overview of VAW in the Philippines and various laws related to VAW. He also shared the vision, mission, objective, core values, and various notable achievements of MOVE Philippines, which revolves around the fight against VAWC.
“It is the time to strengthen men’s organization to curve, if not eliminate, violence against women. The duty to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality is not exclusive to women alone. Men’s participation strengthens each step towards ending VAW… Our involvement as men advocates is indeed crucial in empowering women. Men and boys need to be part of the solution as allies to end discrimination against women and girls, to achieve gender equality and equity, and to promote the human rights of women and girls,” Mr. De Guia said.
Before the end of his talk, Mr. De Guia encouraged the male employees of the PFDA to take action and be partners in the efforts of ending VAW in the Philippines.
To watch the replay of the webinar, make sure to like and follow the PFDA GAD Focal Point System Facebook Page and PFDA Official Facebook Page and use the hashtags #WomenMakeChange #AgendaNgKababaihan #NWMC2022
Mr. Mc Christian Julius A. Macaranas and Mr. Miguel M. Pilarta of the PFDA – GAD FPS Technical Working Group served as the moderators of the webinar series.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division)