The City Government of Davao was certified by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as a Gender and Development Local Learning Hub for the Magnegosyo Ta Day (MTD), and Protection Against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Discrimination (PSEAD) programs.
The award was given to the city for its gender-responsive local governance by institutionalizing programs that empower marginalized women to be economically independent and for the protection of young people against sexual and other forms of abuse.
Integrated Gender Development Division (IGDD) Head, Ms. Lorna Mandin, said in an interview with the City Information Office (CIO) on Monday that the city was able to sustain these recognitions from the PCW since 2015 after the commission also certified the creation of the Gender Office, the establishment of the Office of the Special Council on VAW, Child-Minding Center, and the Ray of Hope Female Jail.
“ Kani na recognition, makaingon ta no na in a way na sustain sa city because we started receiving recognitions since 2015 kay mao man na ang first. Kanang Local Learning Hub on Gender and Development, mao na ang ginahatag sa Philippine Commission on Women sa mga LGUs nga naa’y mga innovative, naay mga unique programs na pwede, nga maayo mareplicate sa uban LGUs. So in 2015 naa ta’y awards katong pagcreate sa Gender Office, pag-establish sa office of the special council on VAW, katong atoang child minding center, ug ray of hope female jail. [We can say that the city was able to sustain this recognition since the first time we received this in 2015 for the four other innovative gender-responsive programs of the city: the creation of the Gender Office, the establishment of the Office of the Special Council on VAW; our child-minding center, and the Ray of Hope Female Jail. The Local Learning Hub on Gender and Development is an award or certification granted by the Philippine Commission on Women to Local Government Units that have innovative or unique programs for women that other LGUs can replicate],” she said.
Mandin added that the PCW conducts an assessment for the renewal of the certification every three years, and the city was able to renew its certifications. She also said that currently, with the addition of the MTD and PSEAD, Davao City has six (6) gender-responsive programs certified by the PCW.
The ceremonial awarding took place on April 17 in Manila; and was turned over by the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgO), City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) — the implementing agencies of the MTD — and the Integrated Gender Development Division, the implementing agency of the PSEAD, to the city government on April 22 during the Flag Raising Ceremony.
Meanwhile, Mandin explained that the MTD is a livelihood program with women as its primary beneficiaries. She also said that the program stemmed from the results of their studies wherein they have identified that the majority of the women subjected to abuse were economically dependent on their spouses or partners. In 2023, the IGDD reported that the leading form of abuse was economic with a total of 1439 recorded cases.
Since its implementation in 2009, Mandin said that around 10,000 women have benefitted from the MTD.
Mandin also said that the IGDD partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the City Schools’ Division for the implementation of the PSEAD. School Principals, teachers, guidance counselors, and gender-focal persons in schools were trained on how to incorporate concepts of sexual abuse, exploitation, and discrimination in their lessons to inform students about what they should watch out for, and who to contact to report possible gender and sexual abuses.
The City Government of Davao through the IGDD continues its efforts in ensuring that women and children’s rights are protected. The IGDD also continues to urge victims of any forms of sexual abuse, exploitation, and discrimination to reach out to their office or the CSWDO and other service providers. They may also call or send a message to the Kean Gabriel Hotline: 09088184444 or the Davao City Reports through these numbers: 09171312333, 09190722222, 09618340359, 09169067134. CIO
