THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority recently held a forum on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The “Agenda ni Juana sa TVET Forum: Women and Everyone for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society,” discussed the issues and matching strategies to address gender discrimination and promote social inclusion and safe spaces in technical vocational education and training.

The activity included three sessions: Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment towards a Gender-Responsive TVET discussed by the Gender and Development Consultant Chief Empowerment Officer of HerStore Asia, Carmen Rocelia Lopez; Embracing Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion in TVET discussed by the Co-Founder and Operations Manager of Project Inclusion Network, Jim Nemeño; and TESDA’s Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality discussed by eTESDA Supervising TESD Specialist Jacqueline Ali.

TESDA Director General Danilo Cruz expressed his solidarity with the Philippine Commission on Women’s advocacy on closing gender gaps in the country.

“Makakaasa kayo na TESDA will continue to advocate for inclusive growth and actively participate in gender mainstreaming to meet the specific skills and learning needs of marginalized and vulnerable TVET clients. We will ensure that this will be reflected in the TVET policy, programs and delivery,” Cruz said.

PCW MusikJuana 2021 Grand Champion Lorymae Bariring, John Willace Tubalde, and Neil Salarda were present in the forum. Bariring graced the event with the performance of their champion piece “Si Juana Ako”.

TESDA has been implementing programs toward gender equality and has made significant accomplishments in GAD. The agency has also continuously advocated and promoted women’s participation in non-traditional courses and priority sectors.

“TESDA will continue to ensure the implementation of GAD policies and programs that will impact its internal and external clients,” Cruz said.