LIBUNGAN, Cotabato Province (PIA)— “We should strengthen gender-responsive programs to address gender issues, the real problem of the people,” said Orly Maraingan, accredited Gender and Development (GAD) specialist of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and concurrent project manager of the PALMA+PB Project Management Office in the province, as a challenge to local government units and national government agencies this Women’s Month Celebration.

During the recent PIA Talakayang Dose radio program, Maraingan highlighted the importance of gender and development in achieving and sustaining a progressive nation where equal opportunities are given to all. He also emphasized the role of gender-sensitive government officials in the promotion of good governance.

“Kung tayo ay maging isang opisyal ng gobyerno, we should see to it that we identify what are the gender issues of our community and then we will look into our mandates,” Maraingan said.

He added that through gender-sensitive officials, gender-responsive programs will be implemented.

Maraingan explained that when the concept of gender and development in LGUs and NGAs is strengthened, this will promote participative, transparent, and accountable governance.

Meanwhile, he underscored the importance of having knowledge on GAD-related laws that everyone should be aware of.

Some of these, he said, are the Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children, and Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act.

These are some of the government initiatives to empower women to stand against violence and discrimination and be given equal rights to be partners of men in nation-building, he pointed out.

Despite these laws, Maraingan said, the government’s efforts on gender and development do not only benefit women but everyone so that equal opportunities will be given to be able to gain protection against any kind of violence and discrimination. (PIA Cotabato Province)