28 September 2016— The Philippine Embassy in Rome, Italy recently hosted a six-day seminar on Gender Sensitivity and Assistance-to-Nationals for the European Region at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Rome, Italy on September 17.

Thirty-five participants from the different Philippine Embassies and Consulate Generals in the European Region attended the seminar, which was organized and conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Human Resource and Management Office (HRMO) and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA).

The seminar discussed topics including basic gender concepts, gender fair language, salient features of relevant laws (Magna Carta of Women and Anti-Sexual Harassment Law), gender dimensions of ATN functions, human trafficking, and ATN Manual and the Inter-Agencies Joint Operations Manual, among others. The participants undertook workshops, case studies and group discussions which were effective tools to enhance their knowledge on gender issues and ATN concerns.

The seminar aimed to sensitize DFA personnel and to develop their professional and personal competencies in identifying and addressing issues involving gender that arise in the course of their work at the Embassies and Consulate General.

It also aimed to equip DFA personnel with basic knowledge in dealing with recurring issues encountered by OFWs such as family law, human trafficking versus illegal recruitment, sextortion and sexual harassment. END