TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city government, in collaboration with the City Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), organized a seminar focused on the use of the Gender-Responsive LGU (GeRL) Ka Ba? Assessment Tool.
This initiative aims to enhance the quality of working conditions and services provided to the general public, with a particular emphasis on women.
The seminar brought together all Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons from various offices of the city government to delve into the functionalities of the GeRL Ka Ba? Assessment Tool.
According to City Population Development Officer Jonalyn Kiser, this tool is instrumental in helping office representatives gain a deeper understanding of their roles, thereby enabling them to create more suitable working conditions and offer better public services.
Kiser emphasized the significance of the GeRL Ka Ba? Assessment Tool in facilitating the identification and streamlining of GAD-related programs and projects within each office.
She highlighted that the tool simplifies the process for focal persons to align their office needs with GAD programs effectively.
Reflecting on past challenges, Kiser noted that many focal persons were seeking clarity on their responsibilities during the previous GAD orientation sessions.
However, with the introduction of the GeRL Ka Ba? tool, each focal person can now pinpoint the specific requirements of their office, fostering a more targeted and efficient approach to GAD initiatives.
GAD, established in the 1980s, advocates for women’s empowerment and emphasizes their integral role in society.
It aims to address gender imbalances and inequalities nationwide, ensuring that women’s full participation is recognized and supported by the government.
Kiser also highlighted the national mandate requiring each local government to allocate a minimum of 5% of their budget to GAD initiatives, underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting gender equality and empowerment at the local level. By Edward Joseph Gacuya