The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) through its Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS), begins its month-long celebration of activities anchored on the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) multi-year theme, “We Make CHANGE Work for Women” this March.

This year’s celebration focuses on the sub-theme, “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran”, highlighting women’s concerns in the government agenda. 

In line with the celebration, activities such as photo essay contests, quiz contests, free breast ultrasound service, honor a woman co-worker initiative, and orientations are scattered throughout the month to create and facilitate platforms for the discussion of practices, gaps, and challenges in pursuing gender and development (GAD).  

“Our ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality in all aspects. A gender-sensitive and gender-responsive workplace is a step towards that goal, and it is everybody’s responsibility,” said RITM Director and GFPS Chair Dr. Celia Carlos.

The Institute follows a two-pronged approach in implementing initiatives to address gender equality and women empowerment (GEWE). For client-focused activities, RITM supports Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) initiatives by responding to the practical gender needs in patient care. Organization-focused activities, on the other hand, involve the establishment and review of policies and processes that reinforces the needs of the Institute’s women employees. 

One example of which is the enactment of various statutes on sexual harassment in the workplace. 

“We have strictly implemented national laws on sexual harassment in an effort to prevent the occurrence of such events in the workplace and to penalize those who violate the law. The RITM Management strongly supports and will continue supporting initiatives promoting GEWE,” said Dr. Carlos.

The “We Make CHANGE Work for Women” movement hopes to enable women to implement and demand programs and services relevant to their needs thereby narrowing the gender gap and moving towards sustainable and equitable development. 

by Allenor Enciso, Communication and Engagement Office