CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - The provincial government of Isabela (PGI), in partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs), Universiti Utara Malaysia, Isabela State University, Regional Gender and Development Research Center, Regional Gender and Development Committee, conducted the two-day Gender and Development (GAD) Summit at the provincial capitol.

The activity aimed to  address various issues on gender equality  in line with the 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration, with the theme “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan.”

Provincial Administrator Atty. Noel Manuel R. Lopez, who represented Gov. Rodito Albano III, urged the participants from the different sectors to help the provincial government in championing women’s rights.

“More than any other period in Philippine history, this is the time that we need to hear the voices of the women sector. We should be ready to defend women’s rights and women’s representation. And so, I beseech every participant and every soul here present, please help us. Your prayers will be a very big help for us to be able to justify not only the existence of the sectoral representative for women but also the right of every woman to be protected,” Lopez said.

GAD advocate and partner, ISU President Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, called on all participants to embrace equity and compassion and be Gender sensitive on day to day encounter with people around.

“Let us embrace the value of equity to ignite change [and] to cultivate a generation committed to building bridges instead of walls. Together, let us envision a future where violence is replaced with compassion,” Aquino said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Lucila M. Ambatali discussed the face and facets of Isabela in Gender and Development Mainstreaming, while Women Sector Representative Lourdes S. Panganiban presented the initiatives of the provincial government in closing the gender gap.

The topics dicussed during the summit include gender mainstreaming; technology and education: harnessing the power of innovation for gender equality and violence prevention; healthy masculinity and gender equality; breaking gender stereotypes; creating a culture of respect and non-violence; safe spaces for LGBTQIA+, and others. (MGE / PIA Isabela)