By Rhea Mae B. Ruba, DOST GAD Unit
DOST GFPS members reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment during their 10th-year DOST GFPA celebration.
The DOST GAD Focal Point Assembly (GFPA) celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of commitment to integrate gender perspectives into the Department’s policies, programs, projects, and activities with the theme, “Leading with Confidence, Shaping a Gender-Responsive STI”, at Cagayan de Oro City, from November 29 to December 01, 2024.
The assembly was attended by GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) members from across the DOST System, including attached agencies, regional offices, and Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campuses. The GFPA aimed to update them on latest GAD policy issuances and to assess current GAD development programs and projects within their respective institutions or offices.
Asec. Ignacio led the 10th-year DOST GFPA celebration, highlighting the crucial roles of DOST GFPS members.
“We assert the critical role of the GFPS in fostering an environment that champions gender responsiveness. Here, every individual is empowered to contribute to and participate in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI),” said Dr. Diana L. Ignacio, DOST Assistant Secretary, Officer in charge of DOST-CO GAD Unit (GADU), and DOST-wide GAD Focal Person.
As a leading GAD advocate within DOST, Asec. Ignacio emphasized the significance of a gender-responsive STI framework. By incorporating diverse perspectives into innovation and transformation, this framework ensures that advanced STI technologies and products uplift all Filipinos, regardless of gender.
On the first day of GFPA, the DOST GADU discussed the status of gender mainstreaming initiatives within the Department. It highlighted the importance of complying with the required documents of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), such as the GAD Plan and Budget (GPB), GAD Accomplishment Report (GAR), and Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF).
Various resource speakers with a common passion for advocating gender equality and women empowerment enriched the event. On the first day, Ms. Anne Jeaneth B. Casalme, a GAD Specialist from the PCW, presented "Catalysts for Change: Exploring the GFPS Roles and Responsibilities," explaining how GFPS members can accelerate gender mainstreaming through collaboration and leadership. On the second day, Ms. Ermelita V. Valdeavilla, Chairperson of the PCW, provided a lecture on "Unleashing Women’s Power: Creating Gender-Responsive Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Opportunities for All." Her talk illustrated the transformative power of science, technology, and innovation in creating opportunities and breaking barriers to unleash the full potential of women and girls. Additionally, Ms. Nenita M. Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Bestfriend Goodies, shared her entrepreneurial journey in "Empowered Woman: Bold, Fearless, Unstoppable," detailing how the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), a DOST project, has supported her.
2024 DOST GAD Mainstreaming Awards photo opportunity of DOST officials and GFPS members after announcing the winners from DOST attached agencies, regional offices, and PSHS campuses.
The second day featured the 2024 DOST GAD Mainstreaming Awards, which recognized exceptional gender mainstreaming initiatives and achievements within DOST. Awards were given in three categories: Attached Agency, Regional Office, and PSHS Campus, with recipients receiving a trophy and a cash prize.
On the third day of the event, the GFPS headed by Asec. Ignacio, visited DOST-supported women-led projects. This activity provided firsthand experience on how these projects contribute to gender equality and empowerment reinforcing the members' commitment to promote gender-responsive STI. Among the projects visited were the Balubal Sericulture Farmers Association, a beneficiary of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program located in Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City, and Oro Handmade Innovations, Inc., a beneficiary of the SETUP program based in Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental. These projects empower women in their communities by providing financial stability and job opportunities.
The assembly also aimed to strengthen the external links of the GFPS members with other organizations working on GAD. To support this strategy, Ms. Maria Fe Singson discussed the “Draft GAD Checklist for Research and Development Project”, a tool designed to critically assess the implementation of gender and development in the DOST, which they have finalized during the assembly.
This gathering adhered to Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, which mandates the adoption of gender mainstreaming as a strategy in implementing DOST policies, programs, projects, and activities.
DOST GFPA forum photo opportunity showcased the diversity and unity of GFPS members in the DOST system.
