PHL Embassy in Muscat Holds Workshop on Understanding and Implementing Gender and Development (GAD) for PHL School in Oman
Second Secretary and Consul and Bernadette A. Mendoza (5th from left), with Assistant Principal Noralyn Y. Cura (5th from right) and selected teachers and administrative staff of the Philippine School in Oman
23 March 2018 MUSCAT – The Philippine Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman conducted a Workshop on “Understanding and Implementing Gender and Development (GAD)” for selected teachers and administrative staff of the Philippine School in Oman. The activity was held at the Sentro Rizal Hall of the Philippine Embassy on March 19 in observance of the National Women’s Month.
The objectives of the workshop were to improve awareness on the Philippines’ GAD program, to impart GAD concepts and practices, and to promote gender awareness and sensitivity among the participants. The workshop thus started with an overview of the Philippines’ laws and regulations covering ethical conduct, issues related to women and children, the introduction of the GAD program and the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS), and the establishment of the Philippine Women’s Commission (PCW). Emphasis was given to the relevant policies of the Philippines’ Department of Education (DepEd), particularly its Gender-Responsive Basic Education (BRSE).
The workshop also included a session on the need for every establishment and organization, including schools, to establish clear policies and guidelines regarding the administrative processes for sensitive cases. The Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), required by law for all Philippine government agencies and institutions of education and training, was discussed as a model for addressing such cases. Establishment of CODIs is also included in the DepEd’s BRSE policy.
A brief open forum ensued during which the participants expressed their appreciation for learning about GAD and their desire to apply it at the Philippine School. The teachers also broached various means of incorporating GAD in their lessons and hope of acquiring more GAD resources. Copies of the concerned Philippine laws and DepEd policies were provided to the participants for their reference.
The workshop organized by the Embassy was ably represented by Second Secretary and Consul Bernadette A. Mendoza, who served as resource speaker, Attaché Lizbeth D. Pangan, the Embassy’s GAD Focal Point, and Attaché Liza A. Villafranca, the Embassy’s Assistant GAD Focal Point.
The Philippine School in the Sultanate of Oman is a private institution established by the Filipino community in Oman in 1989 and is recognized by the Oman Ministry of Education. END
For more information, visit www.muscatpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinOman.