By Rhea Mae Ruba, DOST GAD Unit
A “Power Walk” activity during the 2025 Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) for newly hired DOST-Central Office employees, illustrating social inequalities and diverse lived experiences within the community.
Recognizing the importance of fostering an equal, inclusive, and respectful workplace, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Gender and Development (GAD) Unit, conducted the 2025 Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) with the goal to enhance understanding of the basic concepts of gender, modifying the perceptions and behaviors associated with GAD, and cultivating a gender-sensitive culture within the workplace.
This initiative reflects the Department’s commitment to gender mainstreaming, ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into policies, programs, and daily operations. On June 18, 2025, 40 DOST-Central Office new employees, composed of 17 males and 23 females participated the GST held at the DOST Executive Lounge, Bicutan, Taguig City.
The relevance of this training underscored the result of 2025 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), wherein the Philippines ranked 20th out of 148 countries, reflecting the nation’s progress in promoting equal opportunities for men and women in the areas of economic participation, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
This global ranking was highlighted in the lecture of Ms. Maria Fe B. Singson, a Project Senior Technical Specialist at the DOST GAD Unit, titled Orientation on the Basic Concepts of GAD. She shared that this achievement reflected the Philippines’ stride towards gender parity, noting that sustained efforts such as the GST are essential in closing the remaining gender gaps.
Ms. Singson shared the crucial role of gender sensitivity awareness in the workplace explaining how it clarifies issues related to gender disparities and gender concerns. She highlighted the importance of understanding how gender shapes the roles of women and men in society, their contributions to development, and the impact on their relationships.
Additionally, the training covered Republic Act No. 11313, commonly known as the Safe Spaces Act, which addresses all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) in public spaces, schools, workplaces, and online platforms. This significant topic was discussed by Atty. Shiela O. Valino, Attorney V of the Legal Division under the Administrative and Legal Service.
Atty. Valino emphasized the importance of awareness about GBSH, explaining that it involves any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks directed at any person. She explained that such acts are classified into first, second, and third-degree offenses, each with corresponding penalties under the law. She strongly encouraged individuals who experience or witness any form of GBSH to report the incident immediately to the designated personnel within their workplace, school, or training environment.
During the two major lectures of the GST, participants actively engaged by attentively listening to the discussions and participating in various group activities. Ms. Singson facilitated interactive exercises such as identifying and listing the characteristics, roles, and traits traditionally associated with both men and women. She also conducted a "power walk" activity, which illustrated social inequalities and lived experiences.
On the other hand, Atty. Shiela Valino presented real-life scenarios of GBSH and encouraged participants to analyze each case, identify the type of offense involved, and discuss appropriate responses or interventions based on the Safe Spaces Act.
The training was supported by Dr. Diana L. Ignacio, Assistant Secretary for Administrative and Legal Affairs, in charge of the GAD Unit, and DOST-wide GAD Focal Person. She expressed that this training is a crucial step for the participants to become gender-sensitive employees. This provided them with knowledge on how gender influences perspectives and why addressing the gender gap is essential to promoting equality.
“As dedicated civil servants, it is imperative that we not only appreciate gender and development but also actively champion it. It is time for us, men and women, to embrace sensitivity and strength. We must reshape our view of gender as a spectrum, dissolving limiting binaries, and instead celebrate the richness of our individual identities,” Asec. Ignacio expressed and lived this message to the participants.
A group photo opportunity with the participants, Ms. Singson, and Atty. Valino, symbolizing the successful completion of the GST.
Asec. Diana L. Ignacio set the GST opening program through her welcome remarks.
Ms. Maria Fe B. Singson on her lecture about the Orientation on the Basic Concepts of GAD.
Atty. Shiela O. Valino on her lecture about Understanding the RA 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act.