PH Embassy in Brunei Holds First Gender and Development Seminar

Participants at the Gender and Development Seminar pose for a group photo with Philippine Embassy in Brunei Officers. (Brunei PE photo)

BRUNEI 11 March 2019 – In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Philippine Embassy in Brunei conducted its first Gender and Development (GAD) activity for 2019 by holding a Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) at the Embassy Chancery on 03 March 2019.

Almost 250 participants, mostly female skilled workers from various companies and household service workers, attended the seminar.

Aside from providing updates and information on Embassy’s services for Filipino workers, the activity aimed to apprise the female overseas Filipinos of their rights as women. Brochures containing information on Magna Carta of Women were distributed to the participants.

In her welcome remarks, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Jaybee Arguillas highlighted the significant role of women in today’s society and how important it is to know one’s rights especially if residing in a foreign country, and the avenues and services available to them should their rights be abused.

Embassy officials and representatives of attached agencies namely Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officer Mark Arinquin, Labor Attaché Melissa Mendizabal and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Representative Katrina Del Valle presented their respective programs and services that focus on the protection and promotion of women’s rights

Pag-IBIG Representative Edna C. Peñahermoso and SSS Representative Joy Ann Cabading presented their programs that assists the overseas Filipinos in their monetary savings and investments and empowers them financially.

After the activity, the participants were given tokens of appreciation and were treated to a simple lunch. The Embassy regularly conducts GAD activities that promote gender and development issues for the benefit of Filipinos in Brunei, particularly for their empowerment and enhanced productivity. END

Chargé d’Affaires Jaybee B. Arguillas explains the consular services of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei. (Brunei PE photo)

Labor Attaché Melissa Mendizabal presents the programs and services of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. (Brunei PE photo)

Participants to the Gender and Development seminar happily pose for a photo after receiving their Jollibee lunch distributed by the Philippine Embassy in Brunei immediately after the seminar. (Brunei PE photo)

For more information, visit www.bruneipe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippine-embassybrunei.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBrunei/.