BEAM Newsletter

BEAM Project Conducts Gender Action Planning Workshop

A common understanding on gender equality needs to be developed among all stakeholders in the education system is a viewpoint that everyone involved in the BEAM Project believes in. Given the nature of the gender issues in the Philippines specifically conflict-related issues in Mindanao, BEAM has opted to address gender equality together with peace development through an integrated framework that focuses on personal and cultural needs, awareness and sensitivity.

The BEAM Senior Management Group (SMG) held a Gender Action Planning Workshop last February 13-14, 2008 to track the progress of the BEAM gender program and plan further activities for the extension period. Present were 25 members of the SMG and participants from the elementary and secondary bureaus and the Alternative Learning Systems Divisions represented DepEd XI.

This two-day activity focused on gender mainstreaming and gender action planning as part of the project’s plans to integrate gender in all its components and activities. the planning workshop was designed to address gender inequalities and to offer equal opportunities to boys and girls improve their lives through education. A gender audit was also conducted to help the SMG assess the level of the project’s political will, technical capacity, organizational culture and accountability.

 During the opening program, BEAM Australian Project Director Dr. Ian D’Arcy Walsh explained that “conducting a gender planning workshop is important to the Project because it paints a clear picture on gender and peace issues and realistic evaluation on what BEAM has been doing to address gender issues.” “This is significant to all of us in BEAM because it embeds and consolidates the work that we are doing. Also, this will help us design our subsequent projects,” explains Deputy Australian Project Director and M&E Adviser Peter Klar.

 The workshop was facilitated by Ms Irene Santiago, chairperson of Mindanao Commission on Women, a forerunner of Women’s rights and proponent of many projects related to gender and peace and Dr. Emelita Salvado, Chief of the Bureau of Elementary Education for DepEd Region XI.  The Senior Management Group explored some tools in gender audit and mainstreaming to equip them with the knowledge and skills to help the project address the gaps and problems that confront them in their gender mainstreaming efforts. Key gender roles and Core Gender and Development Messages where revisited and discussed in the workshop.

 The SMGs planning capability using the gender lens was tested when they were required to make a gender responsive action plan and a gender audit. The planning workshop has enabled the group to identify gender responsive indicators as the basis for responsive planning. They also recognized entry points in mainstreaming gender and analyzed gender-responsive programs and projects as well as learned tools and techniques in gender mainstreaming in the implementation of the programs.

As final output, the Group developed an Action Plan to be undertaken over the remaining period of the project.