DOH holds training on gender, health

Held last November 15 to 17 at the Twin Rock beach resort in Virac, the training sponsored by the Department of Health was aimed at establishing a health care service center that is woman-friendly and gender responsive in line with the vision of a gender-fair society.

The discussions centered on current gender concepts in the Philippine setting, noting the manifestations of gender bias such as undervaluation of women's work, limited opportunities, exaction of sexual favors from female applicants, limited participation in decision-making, greater burden of parenting and housework, gender stereotyping evident in media and other fields, violence against women, and the lack of self-esteem among Filipinas, among others.

It was emphasized that traditional gender roles and gender biases have denied women access to the public world of work, achievement, independence and power while denying men similar access to the nurturant, emotive and other-oriented world of domestic life.

DOH regional office lecturers Noemi Bron and Lily Tino explained that the examination of the gender issue at the workplace is intended to come up with strategies and processes to integrate gender-responsive goals in the directions, policies, projects and services of the DOH.