PH Consulate General in Jeddah Conducts Gender and Development Forum

Participants take a photo opportunity in the Gender And Development (GAD) Forum on 30 August 2019. (Jeddah PCG photo)

JEDDAH 13 September 2019  — The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah conducted a Gender and Development (GAD) Forum for its personnel on 30 August 2019.

The forum consisted of lectures on the Magna Carta of Women and Basic Gender concepts by the Consulate GAD Focal Point Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, “The Phenomenon of Human Trafficking and Human Trafficking: Is There A Gender Dimension?” by Legal Officer and Attaché Chares Marie R. Torres-Elacion, and the Psychological First Aid and Stress Debriefing by Social Welfare Attache Annabel R. Oidem.

Consul Dingal highlighted the various achievements of the Philippines in advancing women’s rights since Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) was signed into law on 14 August 2009. She also discussed the duty of the government as primary duty-bearer in implementing the said law and emphasized how a correct understanding of basic gender concepts can impact on the genuine empowerment of women in all aspects of their everyday life.

Legal Officer and Attaché Torres-Elacion explained the phenomenon of human trafficking and how it is regarded as a form of modern-day slavery victimizing mostly women and children. She mentioned that trafficking in persons remains one of the grave challenges facing the international community, including the Philippines. She gave tips on how Consulate personnel can help in detecting possible human trafficking cases.

Social Welfare Attaché Oidem gave a thorough briefing on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and stress management. She emphasized that PFA can be learned by both professionals and non-professionals who are in a position to help people affected by very distressing events in their lives. She discussed certain approaches and techniques that Consulate personnel may apply to themselves and clients in the course of helping the latter in a stressful environment. END

Consul Consulate GAD Focal Point Mary Jennifer D. Dingal on GAD Forum. (Jeddah PCG photo)

Legal Officer and Attaché Torres-Elacion.(Jeddah PCG photo)

Social Welfare Attaché Oidem on the GAD Forum. (Jeddah PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJeddah/.