As part of the National Women's Month celebration, Biliran Province State University's Gender and Development (GAD) Office, in collaboration with the Provincial Council for Women's Welfare, Inc. and BiPSU's Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), conducted the EmpowerHer: Building Capacity for Gender and Development Trainers seminar workshop on March 26 at the BiPSU Hyflex Audio-Visual Center.

With the theme "Women Empowerment: A Celebration of Strength, Equality, and Progress," the seminar aimed to equip GAD advocates with the skills to promote gender-responsive programs and practices across the university.

GAD secretariats and faculty members handling Gender and Society courses from various schools actively participated in the day-long workshop.

In her opening message, Dr. Marianne S. Dagaylo-an, director of the BiPSU GAD Office, emphasized the crucial role of gender and development trainers in fostering inclusive environments.

"The role of gender and development trainers is more crucial now more than ever as we strive to build inclusive spaces," Dr. Dagaylo-an said. "We must equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively promote gender-responsive programs and practices."

The seminar featured in-depth discussions on key topics led by esteemed experts. Fernando E. Quiroz, former head of GRASS, delivered sessions on the code of conduct for GAD trainers, effective training methodologies, and foundational knowledge on Gender and Development (GAD) and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC).

Meanwhile, Dr. Annel Ruth D. Celis, a member of the Philippine Commission on Women's (PCW) Regional Pool of Experts, presented insights on Google Analytics (GA) and the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF), highlighting data-driven approaches to assess and enhance gender programs.

In his message, BiPSU's Vice President for Administration and Finance, Engr. Vivencio A. Pelesco, emphasized the seminar's broader significance beyond academic discourse, framing it as a call to action for educators to drive societal change.

"As educators, we hold the power to shape mindsets, influence perspectives, and inspire the next generation to embrace inclusivity," Engr. Pelesco said. "Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen the capacities of our faculty members and GAD secretariats, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to integrate gender perspectives in teaching, research, and policy-making."

The Seminar Workshop on EMpowerHer: Building Capacity for Gender and Development Trainers is part of BiPSU’s month-long observance of this year’s National Women’s Month.

[This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 – Gender Equality.]