NAMRIA NEWSCOOP


NAMRIA GFPS conducts GSS
By: Jeffrey Quodala

In line with the observance of the 18-Day Campaign of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the NAMRIA GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) conducted two-batches of Gender Sensitivity Seminar (GSS) at the NAMRIA Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and NAMRIA San Nicolas, Manila, respectively. Personnel from the Geospatial Information System Management Branch, Mapping and Geodesy Branch, Resource Data Analysis Branch, and Support Services Branch (SSB) attended the first batch held in NAMRIA Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on 26 November 2015. Personnel from the Hydrography Branch (HB) participated in the second batch held in NAMRIA San Nicolas, Manila on 27 November 2015. GFPS Information, Education, and Communication Subcommittee member Jeffrey A. Quodala served as the resource person in both batches.

 
NAMRIA Deputy Administrator Jose C. Cabanayan, Jr. in the Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City seminar and NAMRIA-HB Director, Commodore Jacinto M. Cablayan in the San Nicolas, Manila seminar, thanked in their respective opening remarks all the participants for their attendance. They stressed the importance of the activity as a way to somehow prevent violence against women and girls in their respective families, communities, and workplaces.
 
SSB-Administrative Division Supervising Administrative Officer Xenia R. Andres gave the overview of the activity in both batches. Ms. Andres reported that the seminar is part of the continuing process of the GFPS to educate all NAMRIA personnel in the importance of gender equality in the workplace. 
 
The seminar was subdivided into four parts, namely: Setting the Scene (Registration, Introduction of Participants, and Introduction to the Gender Seminar); Exploring/Articulating Gender Issues (Pitik Palak, Sex & Gender, Sapot ng Gagamba, and Report/Plenary); Hearing Women’s Voices, Feeling Women’s Pain (MASALI, Ang Mga Babae sa Ating Buhay, and Processing/Sharing/Synthesis); and Visioning a More Desirable Future and Committing Oneself (Ritwal and Closing Program).
 
Ms. Andres in the Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City seminar and HB-Surveys Support Division Chief, Commander Sheilon T. Cadaoas in the San Nicolas, Manila seminar, congratulated in their respective closing remarks all the participants for their active participation. Commander Cadaoas also shared how their family practices gender sensitivity on a daily basis. A commitment form detailing how they will be practicing gender sensitivity and equality in their everyday lives was dutifully accomplished by all the participants at the end of the activity.
 
Ms. Andres served as the overall training facilitator for the said activity, with the support of Mr. Joseph C. Estrella, Ms. Jeanevie T. Habitan, Mr. Manuel G. Talamayan, Jr., Mr. Victor G. Escandor, and Ms. Princess April Melody T. Geriane of the GFPS.
 
The PCW’s 18-Day Campaign to End VAW is observed annually from November 25 to December 12.  The objective of this annual event is to raise awareness among all stakeholders that VAW is a public issue of national concern. It supports the Aquino Administration’s goal to protect the human rights of women and its commitment to address all forms of VAW.  The Philippines has been participating in the worldwide campaign to eliminate VAW since 2002. This year, the campaign theme “End VAW Now! It’s Our Duty!: Gains and Ways Forward” aims to remind the duty-bearers and advocates to reflect on the accomplishments of gender and development in the last five years, to continue looking forward to a vision of a VAW-free community, and to identify concrete and actionable steps towards reaching that vision. (Source: http://www.pcw.gov.ph)
 
Scenes from the seminar
NAMRIA DA Cabanayan, Jr. delivering his opening remarks in the
NAMRIA Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City seminar


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