PCAF’s GBEST paints clearer picture on gender equality

Dr. Leo Gallego, Gender Focal Person of NIA-RAFPEP, welcomes AFC volunteers during one of PCAF’s Gender-Based Effectiveness Skills Training (GBEST). The GBEST was conducted in a total of five regions this year.

To gain adequate understanding on the related concepts of gender and equality, around 200 Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) volunteers joined the series of Gender-Based Effectiveness Skills Trainings (GBEST) spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).

PCAF, through the Capacity Development Section (CDS), facilitated the training which focused on three aspects: mainstreaming gender; exploring gender and culture, and recognizing gender realities and issues.

According to PCAF CDS Chief Arsenia Perez, it was the first time for most of the participants to join a gender-based training.

“It is important that AFCs know that we, at PCAF, are doing this kind of training and that this is in line with the provisions under the Magna Carta for Women,” Perez added.

The training team explained that the inclusion of the topic on Mainstreaming Gender is so that they could introduce the different gender mainstreaming processes and concepts. The AFC volunteers also learned the evolution of gender paradigms and perspectives from its early initiatives wherein women were viewed as vulnerable, helpless and needing of protection. 

The second module, which was on Exploring Gender and Culture, tackled the different factors that affect how people perceive things depending on the social norms, people and environment.


Lastly, the third module focused on Recognizing Gender Realities and Issues wherein the male and female differences are recognized and the various gender issues that need to be addressed and understand were identified.

AFC volunteers in Cagayan de Oro each raise a star symbolizing their aspirations and commitment toward a sustainable and gender equal agri-fishery sector. 

Dr. Leo Gallego, Gender Focal Person of the National Irrigation Authority-Rapid Food Production Enhancement Programme (NIA-RAFPEP), shared his expertise and served as the GBEST Learning Facilitator.

For this year, PCAF was able to facilitate five batches of the GBEST. The training of the first batch was conducted in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan last August 25 to 28 and was joined by 27 male and female AFC volunteers. For the second batch, 28 AFCs joined the training which happened at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Freshwater Fisheries Center in Bula, Camarines Sur from September 8 to 10. 

All smiles for fairness and equality. PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan joins the fourth batch of AFC volunteers from Cagayan de Oro after the three-day workshop for PCAF’s Gender-Based Effectiveness Skills Training.  

The third batch, which had 24 attendees, was held in Cebu Business Hotel in Cebu City, while the fourth batch was held at the VIP Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City with 33 participants. The final batch was comprised of 25 volunteers and was held at Pinnacle Hotel in Davao City.

With the series of GBEST workshops, PCAF CDS Chief Perez believed that AFC volunteers have recognized the right perspective towards sexual preference of individuals which will help them improve their dealings or approaches toward the other members of the AFCs as well as their husbands or wives.

With the series of GBEST workshops, PCAF CDS Chief Perez believed that AFC volunteers have recognized the right perspective towards sexual preference of individuals which will help them improve their dealings or approaches toward the other members of the AFCs as well as their husbands or wives.

Report by: Jez Campaniel
Photos courtesy of: Capacity Development Section
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