To lean towards a gender-sensitive Philippine agriculture, 31 city and municipal agriculture extension workers (AEWs) attended 3-day Training on Mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) from March 5-7, 2025. This is to promote gender equality and inclusivity in addressing the needs of the agri-fishery stakeholders.

Ms. Liberty Bacerna and Atty. Kymverlie Mallo of the Department of Interior Local Government-Region 2 served as resource persons in the training. The participants learned various topics on the Basic Concepts of GAD, Gender-Fair Communication and Language, Magna Carta of Women, Fundamentals of Gender Mainstreaming, and Safe Spaces Act and Anti-Rape Law.

During the lecture and discussions, the participants raised their queries on the use of gender mainstreaming in their works, and some questions on the laws related to GAD.

On the first day, OIC-Center Director Dr. Claris Marayag-Alaska highlighted that woman have already been given their rightful place in the society, but there are still fellow women, especially in remote areas, who are deprived of their rights. Hence, she stressed the roles of the AEWs in ensuring that even the farthest barangays in region 2 are reached.

After the lectures, participants finalized their re-entry plans and shared their strategies on increasing awareness of their clients on the effects of gender mainstreaming in achieving gender equality and an inclusive society. Through this, local farming and fishing communities in region 2 are expected to become more gender-friendly and inclusive.

“As a member of LGBTQ-IA+ community, I am so happy to be part of this training because I learned the rights and laws not just for women but for all of us,” Roland Pelotin, AEW from Lal-lo, Cagayan said.

The training is part of the celebration of the Women’s Month with its theme, “Babae sa lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas.” It is indeed a way for empowering the agriculture sector for women while empowering everyone to be part on mainstreaming gender equality and equity.

Euzel Geronimo, AEW from Cordon, Isabela said that the seminar she has attended was an enriching experience to her. “In both personal and professional life, this has strengthened my commitment to advance gender equality and implement those principles,” Geronimo said. “I am hoping that a woman in the agriculture sector will step up to build a more progressive and prosperous Philippines,” she added.