GOVPH

MOVE MACHETE OF DEPED QUEZON! Division GFPS convenes MACHETE presidents, leads 2023 NWD celebration

 To further women’s empowerment through bolstered gender equality advocacy, SDO Quezon, through its GAD Focal Point System (GFPS), gathered all [ Men Advocating GAD-Consciousness for Human Equity through Transformative Education ] or MACHETE presidents of the 56 school districts in a three-day conference beginning March 6 which culminated with this year’s National Women’s Day (NWD) celebration on March 8, 2023, at Sevilla’s Resort, Lucena City.

Mr. Sedfrey R. Potestades, Resource Person and Asst. Department Head of the Provincial GAD Office, discussed the History and Objectives of the [ Men Opposed to Violence against Women Everywhere ] MOVE Philippines. He explained the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) and presented supporting data that called for action toward ending all forms of violence against women and their children, pursuant to Republic Act 9262 and other related laws. The MOVE pledge also embodies the same commitment of every MACHETE, that is, never to commit; never to condone; and never to remain silent regarding GBV.

Dr. Oscar Duma Jr., Senior Education Program Specialist (SEPS) and MACHETE proponent, used the previous topic as a springboard to reorient the school head participants about the GAD efforts of SDO Quezon to improve gender mainstreaming and advocacy through the MACHETE initiative, involving a group of men advocates of GAD formed on January 15, 2019. SEPS Duma informed them of the strategies to be adopted at the Division, district, and school levels, abbreviated as ORAS which stands for Organize, Advocate, and Support. He urged them to actively install and mobilize their officers and members, in coordination with the SDO and their respective GFPS.

In connection with the management of the GAD program, Dr. Regina V. Marino, SEPS and GFPS member, discussed the issuances and general guidelines in GAD planning and budgeting (GPB). She clarified about the GPB process which includes the preparation of Sex-Disaggregated Data (SDD), Gender Analysis, Identifying Gender Issues, and Prioritizing GAD Activities. She also reiterated a few reminders on the appropriate use of GAD budget, as well as on accomplishing templates on GPB and Accomplishment Report.

Dr. Michelle G. Duma, Education Program Specialist II (EPS II) and Division GAD Focal Person, concluded the first day of the conference with a “colorful” lecture on the spectrum of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). Using sample scenarios and video clips, she illustrated relevant key concepts, differentiating sex from gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expressions. With the aim to demonstrate appreciation for the differences existing among individuals in relation to their SOGIEC, Dr. Duma likened human beings to a kaleidoscope and a rainbow, highlighting understanding, respect, and acceptance which are necessary and prerequisite to combat gender discrimination.

On March 7, 2023, Raul R. Agaran, Education Program Supervisor for the School Governance and Operations Division, delivered the first session. He covered fundamental GAD concepts that advocates, such as MACHETE presidents, should be familiar with in order to develop gender sensitivity. EPS Agaran discussed how gender roles affect people’s behavior and how social institutions play a major role in gender socialization. He encouraged participants to avoid gender biases and gender discrimination, particularly in the educational setting.

SEPS Duma, who is also in charge of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the Division GFPS, discussed how GAD program should be implemented, monitored, and evaluated. He identified the bases of monitoring and evaluation of GAD programs, activities, and projects (PAPs), as well as explained the process of conducting M&E using appropriate tools. He presented the common gender issues facing the education sector. Likewise, he reviewed important concepts in the theory of change and the Department’s results framework in relation to attaining the overall goal which is gender equality. For awareness, he ended his presentation with an overview of GAD Checklist for Education needed in evaluating the gender responsiveness of a proposed GAD intervention.

Meanwhile, Atty. Rexcia Maria B. Baldeo expounded on indispensable legal provisions of RA 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women, a comprehensive women's human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling, and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in the marginalized sector. Atty. Baldeo enumerated the rights protected under the said Act. Then, she discussed the penal provisions to be sanctioned for committed violations.

Ms. Carleen D. Aguila, Legal Assistant, enriched the previous discussion with a lecture on RA 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act of 2019, more popularly known as the “Bawal Bastos Law”. This Act covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplaces, and online spaces, as well as corresponding penalties for each degree of the offense. Ms. Aguila also explained the liabilities of minor-perpetrators, including remedies and psychological counseling of victims, administrative sanctions for government employees, and certain exemptions.

In celebration of the 2023 NWD on the eighth of March, Dr. Maria Bernadit M. Tupas, EPS II for School Management Monitoring and Evaluation, recalled the Historical Background of Women’s Month. She described how significant events in the women’s past had influenced major social movements calling for equitable access, distribution, and control of resources among men and women, thereby contributing to the latter’s self-affirmation and empowerment. Dr. Tupas led the group of MACHETE presidents into a short activity that was aimed at informing men on the worth of women in the family and in nation-building.

Sir Philips T. Monterola, former Regional Coordinator and Focal Lead of KRA 2 – Management of Teaching-Learning Delivery System of the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD), and current Assistant Principal II of Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School, discussed the topic “Inclusivity in Education”. As an advocate of Inclusive Education - Special Needs Education, and Values Education & Good Manners and Right Conduct, he gave emphasis on the importance of the Equity pillar of the Basic Education Development Plan 2030, and how it should transpire in the delivery of basic education. Besides his discussion on legal underpinnings, his sharing reminded the participants of the “no child will be left behind” principle, of inculcating values among learners, protecting them from sexual abuse, and prompting teachers to live by the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers.

The remaining hours of the conference were dedicated to the preparation of the District advocacy and plans, and the election of overall Division MACHETE Officers who would represent schools in the four congressional districts.

The success of the three-day activity manifested in the evaluation results and testimonies of participants during the closing program was also ascribed to the full support of the Top Management led by Dr. Elias A. Alicaya Jr., OIC-Schools Division Superintendent, and to the inspirational messages the three ASDSs delivered, including ASDS Gregorio T. Mueco, ASDS Herbert D. Perez, and OIC-ASDS Edward D. Garcia. Present were the members of the Division GFPS, namely Administrative Officer V Maria Dolores D. Atienza, Planning Officer III Marbin Jeramil D. Fragata, Budget Officer III Catherine A. Pureza, and PDO I Mark Angelo "Ms. Margel" Tiusan. Division Cashier Shiela E. Javen, and Human Resource Management Officer Wennie O. Gaela also attended to show their support.

As an enabling mechanism to raise people’s awareness and generate support for gender mainstreaming, MACHETE is—and will continue to be—an empowering effort to understand, appreciate, and imbibe the need to pursue gender equality, which lays a solid foundation for determining the success of GAD mainstreaming activities in SDO Quezon, guided by the theme “We for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society.”

-O.R.Duma | SEPS/DIO

#WEcanbeEquALL #2023NWM #DepEdQuezon #DepEdCALABARZON #GFPS #GAD #MACHETE #MOVEMACHETE #GenderEquality #ALITAPTAP2023 #PREFIC