PyD country rep acknowledges POs role in gender
equality
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, June 22 (PIA) – “You have an
important role representing your communities’ needs and voices,” said Paz y
Desarrollo (PyD) country representative Antonio Gonzalez to the peoples
organization (POs) involved in formation of the Alliance of Gender Advocates in
Caraga (AGAC) during its formal launch
on Thursday in one of the convention centers here.
According to Gonzalez, PyD as a gender oriented
non-government organization in its advocacy work has been promoting the
synergies and the capacities for linkaging among the program stakeholders.
Public officers and representatives of several POs from the fourteen barangays
of Agusan del Norte that are included in the program, decided to take a step
forward and enhance their participation in local economical and political
processes.
Gonzalez told the POs representatives that as
gender advocates, both men and women should be represented in every messages
and actions that they are going to make and take. “Keep in mind the values of
your organization and always be reminded that as members of AGAC, you are
pursuing for equal opportunities, equal access to resources and equal exercise
of rights for men and women,” he said.
The alliance according to Gonzalez is a result
of a Partnership Learning Consortium (PLC) workshop, an activity carried out
within the framework of the Female Forward Program of PyD, with the support of
the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and in collaboration with its
local partner in Agusan del Norte Philippine Partnership for the Development of
Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) Mindanao which is promoting gender
equality in political participation since 2011.
With the launching of AGAC, Gonzalez said they
will be able to offer a common space for dialogue, interaction and exchange of
experiences and good practices that will allow the organizations involved to
actively participate in policy-making bodies in their respective areas and to
promote women empowerment and gender equality.
“AGAC will provide you the tools and space to
raise the voice of the people you represent,” Gonzalez said. PyD will provide
advice and assistance if needed, Gonzalez added. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
