The DA – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) organized a two-day Gender
Sensitivity Training (GST) under the Gender and Development (GAD) Program for its employees on
June 28-29, 2022 at the BSWM Lopez Convention Hall, Diliman, Quezon City.

The training sought to provide the participants with an understanding on the difference between
sex and gender, concepts on Sexual Orientations, Gender Analysis, Gender Identity and Expression
(SOGIE), and Manifestation of Gender Biases. In addition, the training also fosters the awareness of
the participants on the various gender issues, GAD Policies and Mandates for Gender
Mainstreaming, and Safe Spaces Act.

The resource person was Ms. Maria Daryl L. Leyesa from Philippine Commission on Women,
Gender and Development (PCW-GAD) Resource Pool, who emphasized that the learnings of the
participants should be shared to their colleagues in order to achieve a progressive and gender-
responsive institution.

The training was spearheaded by the BSWM-GAD Focal Person and Planning Section Head Cathlyn
Joy Dela Torre, and BSWM-GAD Alternate Focal Person and Budget Section Chief Sarah
Suministrado. Moreover, the GST is part of the DA-BSWM-GAD initiatives and compliance under
Republic Act No. 9710 or Magna Carta of Women, towards gender mainstreaming and to eliminate
of violence against women and children in workplace and community.