PHL Embassy in The Hague Holds Information Seminar on Gender and Development

Filipino “au pairs”/Participants enthusiastically raised their handy, pocket-sized copies of RA 9710, Magna Carta on Women that were distributed during Embassy’s GAD seminar with Ambassador Ledda and GAD speaker, Ms. Siruno (standing left most) Photo courtesy of Ms. Maria Helen B. Operio.

26 March 2018 THE HAGUE – The Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands organized  a seminar on "Filipino Women on the Move:  An Information Seminar on Migration, Gender and Development" on March 17. The seminar was conducted by Ms. Lalaine Siruno, Filipino researcher-student on the governance of migration and diversity with specialization on gender and development at Erasmus University Rotterdam. The event also formed part of the Embassy’s observance of the month of March as “National Women’s Month”.

Ms. Siruno provided a better understanding of gender as a social construction,  discussed  the role of social institutions in reinforcing and perpetuating gender inequalities and improved awareness of personal gender biases and gender myths and facts with topics that included basic concepts of sex and gender, gender roles and stereotypes, gender socialization, as well as international and national frameworks enacted for the promotion of welfare and protection of fundamental rights of women (and men, too). Group learning discussions were held during which the participants exchanged their views and expressed their sentiments and aspirations as women migrants in The Netherlands.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda acknowledged the important roles that women play in Philippine society, and especially in The Netherlands, as “au pairs” in Dutch families. He expressed hope that the seminar will serve as an effective platform to “discuss good practices, gaps, challenges in pursuing gender and development” under this year’s “National Women’s Month’s” theme, WE Make Change Work for Women. END

For more information, visit www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph / https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.