Candelaria, Zambales - The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), led by its Gender and Development (GAD) Committee, celebrated Pride Month with a Gender Fair Language and Research Toolkit Workshop and Team Cohesion Program held on 19-21 June 2024, in Candelaria, Zambales.

During the first day, ILS GAD Committee Chair Franchesca Rose Castillo presented the draft ILS GAD Agenda to ILS staff. This was followed by team cohesion activities, which engaged the staff in effective collaboration, constructive communication, trust-building, shared leadership, and responsibility.

The second day was graced by DOLE Assistant Secretary for Labor Relations, Policy, and International Affairs Cluster Amuerfina R. Reyes, CESO II. In her opening remarks, DOLE Assistant Secretary Reyes highlighted the significance of gender mainstreaming in research. “By promoting gender-fair language and research practices within the Institute for Labor Studies, employees will be better equipped to address social issues and contribute to advancing gender equality in the Department of Labor and Employment and the public sector.”, DOLE Undersecretary Reyes added.

University of the Philippines-Diliman Assistant Professor Julie B. Jolo, who served as the resource speaker, provided practical techniques for addressing gender-discriminating and sexist language within the Institute, particularly in drafting research, policies, guidelines, documents, and other business communications, and informational materials. As a major final output, ILS staff drafted internal guidelines for a Gender-Fair Language policy in the workplace and updated the existing ILS Research Toolkit.

Executive Director III Jeanette T. Damo also reiterated ILS’ commitment to advancing gender mainstreaming efforts and ensuring the gender responsiveness of the Institute. “We hope our notable efforts on GAD will qualify us for and be recognized soon in the GADtimpala Awards or the Gender and Development Transformation & Institutionalization through Mainstreaming of Programs, Agenda, Linkages & Advocacies by PCW.”

The ILS GAD Committee is set to finalize its six-year gender and development (GAD) agenda this fiscal year 2024, as required in the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Memorandum Circular No. 2018-04.

PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2018-04 or the Revised Guidelines for the Preparation of the Gender and Development (GAD) Agenda provides the guidelines and procedures for the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of GAD Agenda as the basis for the annual GAD Plan and Budgets of government agencies.

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