BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte --  Female members of the various legislative bodies in Caraga Region, who are handling the Committee on Women and Social Services, committed to translate the campaign for gender equity and equality into specific policies and programs. 

This is an offshoot activity after the Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) Chairperson and Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Caraga Director Alexander A. Makinano, discussed the status of mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) into policies, plans, and programs during the seminar, entitled, "Women in Politics: “Enhancing the Capacity of Women in Local Governance,” organized by the People Power Volunteer for Reforms (PPVR) and Friedrich Naumann Foundation Philippines, participated by the female legislators of the various local government units in the region. 

During the seminar, Makinano underscored the importance of addressing gender discrimination and abuses at the domestic level as key in preventing social issues and concerns. He also highlighted the reproductive health, family planning and adolescent health and development services as among the interventions in addressing gender issues at the family level. 

The participants shared the challenges they are facing in mainstreaming GAD and  their experiences in promoting gender-responsive governance in the respective areas. 

According to the RGADC chair, the seminar also served as a platform for collaborative efforts towards achieving a more gender-responsive and inclusive local governance in the region. (May Ann O. Escobal, POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)