PH Embassy in Pretoria Holds Gender and Development Seminar

Ambassador to South Africa Joseph Gerard B. Angeles recognizes some of the active participants. (Pretoria PE photo)

PRETORIA 13 December 2018 – As part of its efforts to promote awareness on gender and development (GAD), the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria conducted a seminar on GAD which was attended by some 300 members of the Filipino Community from all over southern Africa at the Embassy grounds on 02 December 2018.

Ambassador to South Africa Joseph Gerard B. Angeles informed the attendees about the importance of gender equality and balance in economic and social development, and the reason why GAD projects were among the flagship continuing projects of the Philippine Government and the Embassy.

Woven into the seminar was the observance of the 18-day Campaign To End Violence Against Women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December 2018. Working on the theme “VAW-free community starts with Me,” everyone was enjoined to pursue the common vision of a community free from violence against women and girls.

The various forms of violence on women and girls, which are not limited to physical violence, were discussed, including Filipino concepts that unfairly prejudice women and girls and other related concepts. The advocacy materials included a powerpoint presentation on GAD while a banner promoting a VAW-free community was likewise prominently displayed during the entire seminar.

The seminar was conducted as part of the Embassy’s continuing GAD institutional capacity-building activities throughout the year, which include information dissemination on RA 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act) and RA 9710 (Magna Carta for Women) for the Filipino Community, with special focus on Filipinas working overseas.

Likewise merged into the GAD activities is a gender sensitivity training for Embassy personnel to update them on the latest laws and practices regarding gender sensitivity. END

Ambassador Joseph Gerard B. Angeles and Father Jay promote a VAW-free community. (Pretoria PE photo)

Focusing on women teamwork through games. (Pretoria PE photo)

Games emphasizing partnership teamwork. (Pretoria PE photo)

For more information, visit www.pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph.