By IRENE JOY DAYO
THE Philippine Information Agency (PIA)- 10 conducted the Gender Fair Orientation today, July 29, at the PIA Regional Office 10 in Cagayan de Oro City.
The orientation aimed to promote gender sensitivity and inclusivity in public communication and to strengthen the capacity of information officers in advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The activity brought together PIA-10 staff, and virtually, barangay information officers, information officers from various line agencies, and members of the media.
PIA-10 regional head Franklin Gumapon warmly welcomed the participants, highlighting that the session is a shared learning experience for all. Serving as resource speakers are Patricia Mae Mabalos and Hamelcar Chanjueco Jr. from the Philippine Commission on Women – North Mindanao Field Office.
Chanjueco of the Philippine Commission on Women – North Mindanao Field Office provided an overview of their office, including its services and areas of coverage.
At the endpart of his discussion, he emphasized the vital role of communication in promoting gender equality.
He noted that as the agency mandated to disseminate information on government services, programs, and projects, the PCW places its trust in the Philippine Information Agency – Region 10 to ensure that all communication efforts are gender-fair and gender-inclusive.
Resource speaker Patricia Mae Mabalos oriented over 30 participants during today’s Gender-Fair Learning Activity.
She underscored that being a gender-fair communicator involves viewing the world through a gender lens.
This means recognizing how media and educational content can either challenge or reinforce dominant ideologies about gender and its intersections with race, class, disability, age, and other identity markers.
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes destiny,” she said.
