DILIMAN, Quezon City – Marking a significant step towards incorporating gender and development (GAD) in the agriculture and fisheries extension (AFE) system, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) through its Policy and Planning Division held an online briefing on gender mainstreaming strategies for the development and implementation of AFE-related programs, projects and activities (PPAs).
The briefing involved the Institute’s GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) to strengthen their foundational knowledge on mainstreaming strategies while promoting gender equality and empowering both men and women in the farming and fishing sector.
ATI Assistant Director Antonieta J. Arceo highlighted the vital role of GAD-related PPAs in making the agriculture and fisheries sector more inclusive and equitable. She emphasized the importance of adhering to the guidelines set by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) throughout the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of GAD PPAs to address previous observations and findings of the Commission on Audit (COA).
During the briefing, PCW Senior GAD Specialist May Angelica Saludez elaborated the different strategies for effective gender mainstreaming in the sector. These include the importance of gender analysis, developing gender-responsive programs, and understanding the critical elements of a GAD Plan.
On the other hand, ATI Policy and Standards Development Section Chief Bernard James Tandang discussed the highlights of the Department of Agriculture’s Administrative Order (AO) No. 09, series of 2023 or the "Guidelines on Gender Mainstreaming Strategies for the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) System". The AO aims to eradicate gender imbalances and promote gender equality and women's empowerment within the sector.
The online briefing was held last March 18, 2024 in support to the celebration of the National Women’s Month.
