A day of pampering, tribute to men of ‘KATROPA’
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
As a way to recognize men’s positive and valuable contribution to the progress of every community, the member agencies of the Regional Development Council–Regional Gender and Development Committee (RDC-RGADC) convened on November 17 (instead of November 19, as it falls on a Sunday) and converged efforts by conducting free services and games with prizes for all the male personnel from various government agencies and media.
These participating men are also active members of Caraga region’s Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA) movement led by the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), which also chairs the RDC-RGADC.
Agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provided free massage, foot spa, and haircuts; Department of Agriculture (DA) provided information, education, and communications (IEC) materials and seedlings; National Nutrition Council (NNC) provided free counseling; Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte provided sacks of rice as prizes for the individual and group games; and the People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR) provided IEC on anti-VAW, among others.
Dance performances by the representatives of the different sectors also showcased their talents, which caught the attention of the attendees during the event.
Felix Suroysuroy, 59 years old, from the municipality of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, joined in the celebration and availed of the free services.
Clyde Hikilan, a media practitioner, took the chance to avail of the free services while covering the said event.
“This event is very useful to us men, as we are able to enjoy what we also deserve,” he said.
Regional director Alexander Makinano, chairperson of RDC-RGADC, shared significant highlights of the KATROPA as an organization, of which members are also known to be Men Oppose to Violence Everywhere (MOVE) in the region.
Topics he discussed were gender and development (GAD), responsible parenting, family planning, a healthy lifestyle, and the ill effects of violence against women and children.
“The KATROPA aims to educate the male population about their responsibilities in the family, especially their roles as son, husband, and father. Members as well undergo training of trainers to have a holistic understanding of their roles and responsibilities in family planning,” said Makinano.
KATROPA was launched under the
Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Program as it was seen that men play
a vital role in the community, especially in the family.
The said advocacy campaign also
targets an increase in the adoption of family planning methods, especially in
non-scalpel vasectomy, an improvement in health-seeking behavior among men, and
a decrease in the incidence of gender-based violence.
Dir. Makinano also led the pledge of commitment of all participating men to prevent any form of abuse and violence against women and children and to be active in the promotion of human rights. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
