The training was conducted virtually, combining Zoom sessions with Google classroom modules, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing gender and development or GAD issues is at the center of DA-PhilRice’s policy in maintaining gender equality to achieve inclusive and sustainable development in rice, and the agriculture sector in general.
On Aug.16 to Sep. 3, the blended Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) was held by the institute to teach its staff and help them understand the sensitivity of issues on sex and gender, gender gap, division of labor, manifestations of gender bias, and other GAD-related concepts especially in the agriculture sector where it operates.
The first batch of trainees was composed of 83 participants from the Administrative, Research, and Development sectors – 58 women and 25 men staff.
Twenty-nine (29) of them graduated with distinction, while 12 received special GADtimpala awards.
A variety of module assessments, exercises, and games to make learning more interactive was utilized.
“I became more aware of the gender mainstreaming efforts in government institutions, the situation of women in the rice industry, and things I can personally do in my job like being deliberate in using gender-sensitive and inclusive language when writing,” GST graduate Mervalyn O. Tomas of the Development Communication Division and an indigenous community member, said. (JA Diamsay)
