How are the cooperatives faring after a year of a pandemic? Thriving..not an easy feat but they did.

During the Webinar on the computerized GAD Assessment Tool for cooperatives conducted on January 20, 2021, and February 16, 2021, under the GAD Program initiatives of CDA EO 9, a total of 110 cooperative officers and employees attended, which was a good sign that they have adopted to the fad on information and communication technology.

The majority of the participants expressed eagerness to start using the tool after appreciating the ease with which it can aid the decision-makers in choosing the appropriate interventions to ensure that gender issues are addressed.

Director Ruben L. Cunanan fueled their eagerness and encouraged the participants to treat the tool as an analytical instrument to further the GAD mainstreaming efforts in their respective cooperatives. He expressed his gratitude to the Gender Equality Resource Center (GERC), Inc., in partnership with We Effect and CDA for providing the tool and transferring the skills in using the tool to CDA personnel for free. He also expressed his gratitude to all cooperative officers who showed their resilience during the pandemic times.

After the webinar, participants expressed their enthusiasm to maximize the use of the tool as the basis for future developmental activities to address gender issues. Ms. Amelita Lachica of Zamsowedco requested that the use and submission of the result of the tool be mandated by CDA.

The webinar ended with the understanding that each cooperative represented will develop their 2021 GAD Plan and Budget using the tool.

By: Ellen M. Ando, Sr. CDS, CRITS