TESDA's forum on women issues aimed to achieve gender mainstreaming

PHILIPPINES. The Manila Times (12 April 2023) - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) conducted a technical vocational education and training (TVET) forum focusing on issues affecting women in the workplace.

Held last April 5, the forum discussed promoting gender equality and women's empowerment; embracing gender equity, disability and social inclusion; and innovation and technology for gender equality.

"Tesda will continue to advocate for inclusive growth and actively participate in gender mainstreaming to meet the specific skills and learning needs of marginalized and vulnerable TVET clients," Tesda Director General Danilo Cruz said.

The forum was conducted through Tesda's Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS).

For her part, Tesda Deputy Director General for Policies and Planning Rosanna Urdaneta, who also serves as the chairman of the GFPS executive committee, said the forum was relevant to recognize inclusivity in TVET.

According to the United Nations' Asia and the Pacific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Progress Report 2023, there are significant data gaps in pursuing SDG 5, which is gender equality. Also, none of the UN member countries was listed as making progress on SDG 5 since 2015 despite heightened advocacy.

In the Philippines, the Philippine Commission on Women issued the Updated Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Plan 2019-2025, which shows that women and girls are still vulnerable to sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based discrimination and violence in education and training institutions, causing disparity in access to and quality of education.

Strategies in addressing these issues include compliance of the institution; intensifying and enhancing guidance programs; education about information, communication and technology or ICT, among others.

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