DOST-CAR holds GAD orientation in Kalinga

The Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOSTCAR) through its Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)– Kalinga recently conducted an orientation on Gender and Development (GAD) Principles at Grand Zion Garden Resort Hotel, Tabuk City, Kalinga.

The forum entitled “Smarter and Gender-Responsive MSMEs”, is the second part of the forum conducted on February 14, 2023 and is aligned with the 2023 Women’s Month Celebration with the theme “WE for gender equality and inclusive society”, which campaigns that growth must be inclusive, creating a setting where all Filipinos have equal opportunities and empowering them with the knowledge and abilities they need to fully participate in a dynamic and globally competitive economy.

DOST-CAR Regional Director, Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, in her video message, narrated that majority of the assisted customers of the agency are women-led enterprises especially under the food processing industry and even from the other industries that the agency is assisting. “This is a very good indication that in CAR, women are key drivers of economic growth.”, she added.

“Gender and Development (GAD) is not war of the sexes, GAD recognizes the capacities of women and men in contributing to the attainment of development goals”, emphasized by Assistant Regional Director for Finance and Administrative Services and Regional GAD Focal Person, Ms. Maria Rowena C. Madarang. She further explained that MSME sector has the potential for generating jobs and income opportunities for women, hence, this is crucial towards nation building.

Meanwhile, to further disseminate the topic in the grassroot level, some of the participants expressed their intent to invite ARD Madarang for the conduct of orientation for their respective organizations.

This event was attended by about 70 women and men participants belonging to various sectors- MSMEs, associations, cooperatives, and students. “Kaya ti babae nga aramiden ti kaya ti lalaki, mas nakarkaru pay. (Women can also do the things men can do, they can even do more).”, said by one of the men participants expressing his support for women.

One of the attendees in the forum is

Challengers Agriculture Cooperative (CAC), a DOST-assisted cooperative in Tabuk City, which has their GAD unit in their own organization. Through this, gender issues within the organization are being addressed properly and their support was also extended to the community. The cooperative is a menled; however, majority of the members are women and their food processing unit is being managed by ten (10) women members.

Gender and Development is delicately woven in the Programs, Projects and Activities being implemented by DOST-CAR and all its six (6) provincial offices. With the battle cry, OneDOST4U, DOST is in unity in providing genderresponsive products and services for an inclusive development because no one should be left behind.