NAIC, CAVITE — Local cooperatives here are taking a significant step toward social inclusivity after completing a specialized training on the assessment tools for Gender and Development (GAD).

The initiative, spearheaded by the Cooperative Development Office under the leadership of OIC Ms. Chona Guyagon, focused on “Mainstreaming Gender and Development in Primary Cooperatives.” The workshop was held at the Daluyan Community Resource Center in Malainen Bago.

Fostering Equality in Cooperative Principles

The training was facilitated by Ms. Ivyrene Rose Panaglima, Senior Cooperative Development Specialist from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region IV-A. Ms. Panaglima emphasized that assessing gender equality is not just a regulatory requirement but a way to measure how well cooperatives live out the universal principles of equity, social responsibility, and caring for others.

The event saw a diverse turnout of 22 participants, including 9 males and 13 females. The group notably included six senior citizens and three solo parents, highlighting the inclusive nature of the cooperative movement in the municipality.

Throughout the session, Ms. Panaglima covered essential topics such as gender concepts in the Philippine context, the Magna Carta of Women, and the CDA Memorandum Circular 2013-22.

To translate theory into practice, participants engaged in workshops with the assistance of Mr. Jose Arnel S. Castillo, CDS II for Cavite Districts 3, 6, 7, and 8. These hands-on activities were designed to help cooperatives craft their own formal GAD plans based on their assessment results.

By the end of the program, the participating cooperatives reported an increased understanding of how to integrate gender equality into their daily operations. These tools will now serve as a roadmap for Naic cooperatives to ensure that their growth remains inclusive and beneficial to all members, regardless of gender.