GENDER EQUALITY. Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan (seated, 2nd from left) signs the updated Gender and Development Code to help achieve gender equality and women empowerment in the province. Key local officials witnessed the signing on March 27, 2023 at the Northern Samar provincial capitol. (Photo courtesy of Northern Samar provincial government)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Northern Samar provincial government has approved its updated Gender and Development (GAD) Code to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment in the province.
The provincial government announced on Tuesday that Governor Edwin Ongchuan officially signed on March 27, 2023, Ordinance No. 18 also known as An Ordinance Updating the Northern Samar Gender and Development Code.
“The Code will serve as a guiding framework for the creation of gender-responsive policies, programs, and activities that will promote women's participation in all sectors of society in the province,” the governor said in a statement.
Ongchuan signed the updated GAD Code in the presence of Vice Governor Clarence Dato, provincial board members, provincial gender and development executive committee members, national government agency representatives, and non-government organizations officials.
Passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in December 2022, the Code is a testament to our leaders’ dedication to ensuring that gender mainstreaming becomes an integral part of governance.
The provincial government has been initiating activities meant to “raise the consciousness of employees on the changing roles of men and women, and how gender concerns affect relations among and between employees and the clients they serve.”
The Northern Samar provincial government has 3,651 officials and employees with 1,768 of them women serving in the executive and legislative departments. (PNA)
