DavNor guv wants gender-responsive governance

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, June 22 — Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario mobilized his Gender and Development (GAD) program for the realization of a gender-responsive governance.

Program Coordinator Antonia Dagala said the governor wants to put in place a gender-responsive governance in his term.

To this end, the Provincial Government under the office of Gov. del Rosario launched the Magna Carta of Women caravan Tuesday in Capitol, Tagum City as an initial step.

OIC-Provincial Administrator Norma Lumain described the activity, in her welcome address, as the “symbolic act of the Governor” to express his principle in governance as enshrined in his six-point development agenda, P.E.O.P.L.E.

As guest speaker, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Regional Director Alberto Sipaco, Jr., representing CHR Commissioner Ma. Victoria Cardona, discussed among women leaders from various sectors in the province human rights and the salient points of RA 9710 or the “Magna Carta of Women.”

Making this law not just known to Dabaonon women but also understood is one of the goals of the caravan, which is set to hit the road to all three cities and eight municipalities of the province on July 19 this year until October. First stop is the town of New Corella.

Information dissemination and education, encounter of different women groups, focus group discussions of GAD focal points and women leaders, and generation of sex-gender disaggregated data are the expected outputs of the caravan which will be used to assess the real needs of Dabaonon women so that the government can properly address them.

When asked of her impression of the caravan, Brgy. Capt. Marites Timbol who is the wife of Kapalong town Mayor Edgardo Timbol is optimistic. 

“The caravan increases awareness and strengthens our advocacy to inform our women of their rights,” Madame Timbol said. Projects of the local government will also be made gender-responsive at the same time, she added.

After the caravan, a summit will be organized in November with the business sector and civic organizations as a prelude to capability building, which is the next step towards gender-responsive governance. (PIO-DavNor/Mera Grace E. Apuya)