The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region XI (DILG XI) successfully conducted the Gender Sensitivity Training (GST

The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region XI (DILG XI) successfully conducted the Gender Sensitivity Training (GST): Building an Inclusive and Respectful Environment on November 27–28, 2025, at the Grand Menseng Hotel, Davao City.

The two-day activity was attended by newly-hired personnel of DILG XI and was conducted in compliance with Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women.

The training aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of gender and development (GAD) and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and gender-responsive workplace. Topics covered during the training included Basic GAD concepts, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), Gender-Fair Language, and relevant GAD-related laws and policies. Particular emphasis was given to Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-1, which outlines the Revised Guidelines on the Localization of the Magna Carta of Women, underscoring the responsibilities of government institutions in advancing gender equality and protecting women’s rights.

Through participatory lectures and discussions, the activity enhanced the awareness and appreciation of newly-hired personnel on gender issues and their implications in the workplace and public service. The training served as a foundational orientation for ensuring that gender perspectives are mainstreamed in DILG XI programs, projects, and activities, while reinforcing the Department’s commitment to compliance with the Magna Carta of Women and the promotion of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within the organization.