OTON, Iloilo — The Municipality of Oton deepened its commitment to inclusive governance by hosting two Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) batches for local employees and community leaders. The initiative, held in partnership with the Provincial Gender and Development Technical Working Group (GADIloilo TWG), aimed to weave equality into the fabric of public service.
A Foundation for New Public Servants
The first batch gathered newly hired LGU personnel, providing them with a strong grounding in Gender and Development (GAD) fundamentals. Participants learned about gender roles, the importance of sensitivity in government transactions, and their obligation to serve all constituents fairly. The sessions equipped them to recognize and address the diverse needs of women, men, and vulnerable groups from day one on the job.
Interactive exercises challenged participants to confront unconscious biases and rethink everyday workplace assumptions. Trainers emphasized that inclusive governance starts with the individual public servant. By building a solid foundation of awareness, the LGU aims to prevent discrimination before it can take root in its offices.
Empowering Leaders to Break Bias
A second batch brought together sectoral representatives, Sangguniang Bayan members, and Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons from across Oton’s 37 barangays. This group explored deeper issues of stereotypes, discrimination, and the power dynamics that can silence marginalized voices. The training provided a safe space for leaders to reflect on their own attitudes and commit to change.
Resource speakers from the Provincial GAD TWG guided participants through the provisions of the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710). They clarified the law’s mandate for local governments to allocate resources and craft policies that actively promote gender equality. The sessions transformed abstract legal concepts into concrete calls for leadership action at the barangay level.
Beyond Compliance: Changing Mindsets
The Provincial GAD TWG stressed that this training is not merely a box‑checking exercise for legal compliance. It is about shifting deeply held attitudes and institutional practices that can exclude the very people government is meant to serve. The goal is a municipal hall where a solo parent, a PWD, or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community feels equally respected and heard.
Participants engaged in group dynamics and real‑world case analyses that made the lessons stick. They examined how seemingly neutral policies can unintentionally disadvantage certain groups. The experiential learning approach fostered a sense of shared responsibility, turning participants into advocates for a safer, more equitable Oton.
A Collaborative Step Toward Safer Communities
The training series, held at the Sheridan Boutique Resort in Barangay Buray, forms part of Oton’s broader push under the MoRProGRes Iloilo development framework. By investing in its human resources and barangay leaders, the municipality is laying the groundwork for a local government that truly sees and serves all its people.
Organizers believe that the ripple effects will be felt far beyond the training room, influencing everything from youth programs to frontline service delivery. The partnership between Oton and the Provincial GAD TWG demonstrates that building inclusive communities is a shared, ongoing mission.
