BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender equality in rural development by emphasizing inclusive practices and gender-fair communication. This initiative was highlighted during its Branding and Communication Workshop, held on December 26, 2024, at Kisad, Baguio City.
The workshop brought together employees to explore the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) and strategies for integrating gender-fair language into project implementation and communication.
Elvy Estacio delivered a presentation on the significance of gender-fair language in fostering equality. Participants learned that language shapes consciousness, reflects culture, and influences socialization. Estacio explained how word choices often reveal unconscious biases about gender roles, values, and abilities. She stressed that gendered language remains prevalent in workplaces and daily life.
During her discussion, Estacio outlined six principles for ensuring gender fairness in written and oral communication. These principles include representing both women and men, challenging stereotypes, avoiding exclusionary terms, using equal forms of address, promoting gender balance, and fostering equity through appropriate titles. Examples provided included replacing terms like “chairman” with “chairperson” and avoiding gendered suffixes such as “-ess” or “-ette,” which can imply inequality.
Meanwhile, Dr. Aida Pagtan underscored the importance of incorporating gender perspectives at all stages of project planning and implementation. She highlighted that in the Cordillera Administrative Region, 47% of registered farmers are women, emphasizing their critical role in the agricultural sector.
Pagtan also provided an overview of the HGDG, a comprehensive tool for integrating gender perspectives throughout the project development cycle. This includes specific guidelines for program and project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and funding mechanisms.
The HGDG aligns with the Philippine government’s legal mandates, such as the Women in Development and Nation-Building Act (RA 7192) and the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), which advocate for gender-responsive policies across all sectors.
She encouraged participants to adopt gender-sensitive project planning by incorporating sex-disaggregated data, analyzing gender impacts, and aligning initiatives with community norms.
“Gender-responsive leadership and equitable training opportunities are essential to achieving sustainable development. By addressing gender imbalances, we empower communities and support the entire value chain,” Pagtan stated.
Through these initiatives, the DA-PRDP aims to close gender gaps in rural development and establish a benchmark for inclusivity in government projects. By Alyssa Dawn Alalag
