Marawi City, Lanao del Sur — The Provincial Gender and Development (PGAD) Office held a training-workshop for the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) today at the PGAD Conference Room of the Provincial Capitol. The activity aimed to review the 2026 GAD Plan and Budget, revisit basic GAD concepts, principles, policies, and legal frameworks, and examine Lanao del Sur gender issues. It also covered gender analysis (GA) tools, gender mainstreaming, and the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF).

PGAD Focal Person Alliah K. Lucman welcomed the participants by recognizing their unwavering commitment to mainstreaming gender perspectives within their respective offices and ultimately, to building a more equitable and inclusive society.

She said the activity was designed to equip the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively integrate gender perspectives into planning and budgeting processes.

“We will delve into the intricacies of gender analysis, learn how to identify gender gaps, and translate these insights into concrete, measurable, and impactful GAD programs and activities. We will also explore the practical aspects of budgeting to ensure that our GAD initiatives are financially supported,” she added.

The first session was facilitated by Lanao del Sur People’s Council Executive Director Prof. Nabiha L. Lao, who reviewed fundamental concepts of sex, gender, gender characteristics, gender roles, and other key terms related to GAD. She underscored the importance of identifying gender issues, understanding gender roles, addressing gender inequalities, and integrating gender perspectives into planning and decision-making processes.

Her presentation focused on how gender equally affects access to resources, opportunities, and participation, and she encouraged participants to reflect on existing gender biases within their institutions.

Building on these foundational concepts, Dr. Sittie Jehanne U. Mutin, an Independent GAD Consultant, delivered key gender-related policies and legal frameworks, including the Magna Carta of Women, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development. She also stressed the responsibilities of government agencies in implementing GAD programs and complying with gender mandates.

In the afternoon session, Dr. Mutin covered critical topics such as gender analysis, gender mainstreaming strategies, the GMEF, and GAD planning and budgeting. Workshops were conducted to help participants identify and analyze gender roles, further deepening their understanding of the concepts discussed.