Gender Responsive Gender Responsive Local Governance: Local Governance: Upi ExperienceUpi Experience

Maria Elena II T. Castro , MPAUWFI Vice President for Operations

Upi, Maguindanao

Maria Elena II T. Castro , MPAUWFI Vice President for Operations

Upi, Maguindanao

04/10/23

Upi Upi ProfileProfile

Area = 74,295 Hectares Area = 74,295 Hectares 23 landlocked barangays23 landlocked barangays

51,650 populace – 51,650 populace – Teduray lumads 44%, Moro Teduray lumads 44%, Moro 23%, Illonggo 17%, Tagalog 23%, Illonggo 17%, Tagalog 7%, Cebuano 3%, Ilocano 7%, Cebuano 3%, Ilocano 2%, Other ethnic group 4%2%, Other ethnic group 4%

Upi is located in the Upi is located in the Province of Province of MaguindanaoMaguindanao

Brief History of the UWFIThe Upi Women’s Federation Inc.(UWFI) came into being in the year 2004 which was initiated by the First Lady, Madam Amelita A. Piang, the better half of municipal mayor Hon. Ramon A. Piang Sr. It is located at Barangay Nuro, in the municipality of Upi, Maguindanao. It is a non-sectarian and non-profit organization which focuses on gender and women development. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission bearing no.CN 200930771 and is duly accredited with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Local Government unit of Upi.

It is composed of more or less 4,000 tri-people women (T’durays, Christians and moro people) coming from the 23 landlocked barangays of Upi. These women engage themselves in livelihood programs which aim to increase family income thus reducing poverty. These women also get themselves involved in program planning/decision making, health and health related activities, advocacy on VAW-C, Anti-Trafficking/other forms of exploitation and discrimination, responsible parenthood, responsibilities and liabilities of fathers reproductive health and family planning.

Brief History of UWFI

The women’s organization was purposely organized to serve as the implementing arm of the Local Government Unit in the implementation of the 5% GAD funds of the municipality and as well as the barangays.

The Brief History of UWFI

VISION

We envision an empowered, socially and economically stable women who are free from all forms of violence and exploitation.

MISSION

We will strive to raise the awareness of all Upians on Violence Against Women and their Children, Anti-Trafficking in Persons and all forms of discrimination, exploitation and encourage their active participation on Life Skills Training and Micro-enterprise.

Situational AnalysisSituational Analysis1. Limited awareness of the community

on Gender and Development plans and programs

2. Absence of Gender and Children’s Code3. GAD plan is formulated by barangay

officials that have not undertaken any gender orientation

4. 5% GAD Budget not properly utilized;5. No structure or mechanisms to respond

to VAWC and Anti- trafficking in person cases

Situational Situational AnalysisAnalysis

6. Incidence of VAWC

7.Incidence of human trafficking8.High unemployment rate9.Low family income 10.Lack of access to income

generating activities 11.High Maternal Mortality, 12.Child morbidity rate due to

malnutrition13.Limited participation of women

Efforts in GAD Efforts in GAD MainstreamingMainstreaming

GAD POLICY, PLANNING AND PROGRAMMINGs

Creation of GAD team and focal personEnacted the Gender and Women’s

Development Code, 2007Enacted the Children’s Code, 2002Submission of GAD planImplementation of the Gender-Sensitive

Executive and Legislative Agenda 2007-2010– 92%

Barangay Women groups form part in the decision making of the barangay budget particularly the 5% GAD funds;

Re/organization of Women’s group in the barangays

Mainstreaming of GAD plan in the formulation of POPDEV

Establishment of children and women’s deskUtilization of 5% Gender Fund for gender

trainings, agri- enterprise/livelihood activities, social services, environment and business development center

Efforts in GAD MainstreamingEfforts in GAD MainstreamingGAD ORIENTATION/TRAININGSGender Mainstreaming and Planning 2006Gender Assessment Planning in Feb. 2007Mainstreaming Gender in Enterprise

Development March 2007Gender Sensitivity Training for 23 barangays VAWC-ATStrengthening of the MIACAT as vehicle to

promote sessions on VAWC-ATExecutive Order no. 7, 2007 issuance for the

creation of IACATBIACAT-VAWC Formation in 4 barangaysAttendance to Case Management Conference

on VAWC-AT, DSWD, PNP, DOH – Established referral system

Efforts in GAD MainstreamingEfforts in GAD MainstreamingENTERPRISE Study Tour on” Bahay Kubo” concept, vermiculture,

and Philippine Carabao Center, Kabacan, CotabatoStudy tour to Integrated Farm at BukidnonStudy tour of the STEP-UP students to micro-enterpriseTechno transfer on livestock, poultry raising, tilapia

production and vegetable farming, soap-making, corn husk crafts, food processing and preservation

Gender Economic Enterprise Training – Establishment of the Business Development Center

Gender Forum on Enterprise Development Micro-lendingPARTNERSHIPSPartnership with the Visayan Forum Foundation Inc.

and Microsoft Philippines in the operation of the Community Learning and Training Center for the STEP-UP Program. Its primary objective is to raise the awareness of OSY’s about the Anti-trafficking in person by providing them Basic Information Technology Course.

Efforts in GAD Efforts in GAD MainstreamingMainstreamingSOCIAL

Support to indigent and mentally ill personsEnrollment of low income families to PhilhealthMedical Missions and Outreach ProgramsSupport and participation to Meguyaya Festival

and other child development programsTrained traditional hilotsSupport to Day Care CentersHealth information and education through radio

programming DXUPMother’s Classes OrganizedPresence of Children's ParkEstablishment of Birthing Clinics (4 barangays)Establishment of GAD Center- Center for women

in crisisEstablishment of the Teen Center

Efforts in GAD MainstreamingEfforts in GAD Mainstreaming

ADVOCACYCommunity-based IEC on GAD VAWC-

AT, magna carta for women and disaster management in the 23 barangays;

Joint Celebration of International Women’s Month – March 8 (hanging of streamers, conduct of good Morning Monday - information on gender through radio, livelihood and GAD orientation and Gender Mainstreaming, Olympics and women’s congress)

Children’s Congress

Strategies that Strategies that WorkedWorkedOrganization Building

PlanningInformation and Education CampaignBarangay AssembliesRadio plugging and programmingTrainings ( PNP, Women Leaders/groups)IEC Materials development (billboards and

posters and flyers)Participation on women’s month celebration

and festivalsMarketingOrganization of OSYs for enrollment to STEP-

UPRegular monthly meetingsStrong political will

Hindering FactorsHindering FactorsApathetic attitude on GENDERTraditional/cultural perception on

GenderLimited appreciation of GAD

planning and budgeting and how this will be integrated within their system

Officials have limited knowledge on how to implement RA 9262. RA 9208, Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710)

Facilitating Facilitating FactorsFactorsRealization of women on gender rights and

role in economic developmentFunctional structures and systems (Desk,

M/BIACAT, BCPC, GAD Focal person and team)Support of the LGU – policy and counterpart

funding for women activities, Women’s Month Celebration and Festivals

Participation of women in the formulation of Barangay GAD AIP

Establishment of BDC as support for women livelihood

Agenda of Mayor for 2007-2010 to focus on economic development

Establishment of “Bahay Kubo"in every barangay to address health, nutrition and economic aspects of every households

ChallengesChallenges One barangay –one midwife Philhealth Accreditation of the Rural Health Unit not

renewed Orientation of barangay officials on issuance of

barangay protection orders Orientation on handling VAWC-AT cases Mainstreaming and internalization of Gender

programming in every LGU departments Strengthening LGU referral system for VAWC -AT Limited materials on Gender and Enterprise

Development Operationalization of the Business Development

Center to support local enterprises of women Participation to Upi Agricultural Development

Corporation

04/10/23

our greatest our greatest challengechallenge

While all these programs, projects and initiatives are implemented towards

the much needed development of our respective localities.

Success still largely depend on the commitment, sincerity and the political

will of the Local Chief Executive, Officialdom and leaders of the Local

Government Unit

Success still largely depend on the commitment, sincerity and the political

will of the Local Chief Executive, Officialdom and leaders of the Local

Government Unit

Thank You!Thank You!

FIYO BAGI! MEUYAG!!