Quezon PGAD intensifies gender awareness through Gender Sensitivity Trainings

By Nimfa L. Estrellado Assistant Department Head Sedfrey Potestades with Quezon Science High School personnel during the Basic Gender Sensit...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

Assistant Department Head Sedfrey Potestades with Quezon Science High School personnel during the Basic Gender Sensitivity Training on March 20, 2026, in Lucban, Quezon, promoting gender-responsive and inclusive leadership. (Quezon PGAD)

LUCBAN, Quezon - In line with its continuing drive to advance gender equality and inclusive governance, the Quezon Provincial Gender and Development (PGAD) Office, headed by Atty. Generson Paul Mercado, has strengthened its gender sensitivity initiatives across the province, reinforcing the provincial government’s commitment to integrating gender-responsive approaches into public service and community engagement.

As part of the observance of National Women’s Month, the initiative brings together local stakeholders and persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through a series of Gender Sensitivity Trainings (GST). These activities are designed to deepen understanding of gender issues, challenge biases, and promote respect for diversity across sectors.

Core sessions explored key concepts such as gender roles, equality, and gender sensitivity, providing participants with a stronger foundation for analysis and application. Emphasis was placed on integrating gender perspectives into decision-making processes and governance, while encouraging participants to critically reflect on personal biases and adopt gender-fair practices.

Complementing these efforts, the office conducted Gender and Development (GAD) planning and budgeting seminars for local government units. These capacity-building initiatives aim to strengthen the ability of LGUs to institutionalize gender-responsive strategies within their policies, programs, and resource allocation systems.

Further advancing its advocacy, the PGAD Office implemented specialized initiatives such as the Men Opposed to Violence Against Women and Their Children Everywhere (MOVE) seminars. These engagements mobilize male stakeholders as partners in preventing gender-based violence and promoting safer, more inclusive communities.

Taken together, these interventions form part of a broader strategy to bridge persistent gaps in awareness and implementation of gender-responsive programs at the local level. Strengthening both knowledge and practice remains critical in ensuring that gender equality efforts translate into tangible and measurable outcomes.

Sedfrey Potestades, Assistant Department Head of the PGAD Office, underscored the importance of sustained education and shared accountability in advancing gender equality. He emphasized the need to translate awareness into concrete, community-based action.

“Ang gender sensitivity ay hindi lamang kaalaman kundi isang pananagutan na dapat isabuhay sa araw-araw. Mahalaga ang papel ng bawat isa sa paghubog ng isang lipunang may paggalang at pagkakapantay-pantay.” Potestades said.

He stressed the value of continuous training and collaboration in strengthening community capacity. Collective action and informed perspectives, he noted, are essential in driving inclusive and sustainable development.

“Sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pagsasanay at edukasyon, mas napapalakas natin ang kakayahan ng komunidad na itaguyod ang karapatan ng lahat. Ang pagbabago ay nagsisimula sa tamang pag-unawa at sama-samang pagkilos.” Potestades added.

As part of its ongoing advocacy, the initiative reflects the Provincial Government of Quezon’s commitment to fostering inclusive, respectful, and equitable communities. It also reinforces sustained efforts to institutionalize gender-responsive governance, policy-making, and service delivery across the province.