To enhance gender equity in its service delivery, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office XI (DSWD XI) is conducting a Gender-Responsive Case Management (GRCM) Training for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) implementers from May 27 to 30, 2025, at Sotogrande Hotel, Davao City.

The training gathers 50 participants from various provinces in the Davao Region, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to integrate gender-responsive approaches in their case management work. This initiative seeks to foster higher-order thinking and sustainable support systems for vulnerable families under the 4Ps program.

This three-day training is designed to strengthen the application of GRCM within the 4Ps framework. Participants are expected to identify and recall the core principles, concepts, and tools of GRCM; understand the significance of gender-responsive strategies for women, children, and vulnerable families; apply GRCM tools in actual case management scenarios; and analyze current practices to identify gaps and areas for improvement in gender responsiveness.

The training opened with a discussion on the legal foundations of Gender and Development (GAD), highlighting both international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and national laws like Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act. These were presented by CHR XI GAD Focal Atty. Jennidy S. Tambor and Information Officer Gia Nina C. Calamba.

A substantial portion of the sessions is devoted to understanding Violence Against Women (VAW), its root causes, contributing factors, consequences, and various manifestations. Participants also engaged in interactive activities tackling sex and gender, gender stereotypes, and the use of gender-fair language, facilitated by DSWD GAD Focal Gemma M. Gulangayan and CYF Focal Cherry Jane Gomez-Llemit.

In her opening message, OIC Regional Director Merlinda A. Paragamac emphasized the agency’s commitment to delivering holistic and responsive services through continuous workforce development.

“Like the full pie, we want to deliver the full services to our beneficiaries. The learnings are not only for our beneficiaries but also for ourselves—to apply within our own families. You have to claim that you will also become an expert on gender and development because you have to be an expert in your respective communities.”

The remaining sessions will focus on intervention planning, partnership building, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure the sustainability and impact of gender-responsive interventions. The training will culminate in integrating GRCM into the Kilos Unlad Framework, solidifying its alignment with the goals of the 4Ps program.

This training represents a significant step forward in promoting gender equity within DSWD’s social protection programs, ensuring that services respond effectively to the diverse and evolving needs of 4Ps beneficiaries through a gender-sensitive and transformative lens.

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