“DESAROLLO INCLUSIVO: CHAMPIONING GAD IN ZAMBOANGA CITY”

Background:

Gender and Development (GAD) theory was developed in the 1980s as an alternative to the Women in Development (WID) approach and focuses on the socially constructed basis of differences between men and women and emphasises the need to challenge existing gender roles and relations between women and men by influencing the processes and outputs of policymaking, planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation so that they would deliberately address the gender issues and concerns affecting the full development of women. 

The Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710) defines Gender and Development Program (GAD) as the development perspective and process that is participatory and empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, supportive of self-determination and actualization of human potentials. It seeks to achieve gender equality as a fundamental value that should be reflected in development choices and contends that women are active agents of development, not just passive recipients of development. Pursuant to Section 36 of Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women (MCW), all government departments, including their attached agencies, offices, bureaus, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, local government units and other  government instrumentalities shall adopt gender mainstreaming as a strategy to promote women’s human rights and eliminate gender discrimination in their systems, structures, policies, programs, processes and procedures.

In the Philippines, the legal basis of the GAD approach is the 1987 constitution, Article II Section 14 in the Declaration of Principles provides that “the State recognises the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of men and women. The same Constitution under Article XII Section 14 further assures that “protection to working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions taking into accounts their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities taking into accounts their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of nation. 

Other legal mandate of GAD is the Republic Act 7192 otherwise known as the Women in Development and Nation-Building Act which institutionalizes gender concerns in national development efforts adopting the GAD approach in policies and programs where all government agencies is directed to institute measure that would eliminate gender bias in government policies, programs and project, to ensure that women are given the means to participate fully in development and nation building. 

In the City Government of Zamboanga, the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710) is localized through City Ordinance No. 580 otherwise known as “The 2022 Revised Gender and Development Code of Zamboanga City” which puts premium on inclusive and participatory governance, women empowerment and gender equality. With this in place, the City of Zamboanga strongly supports all national and international laws by instituting mechanisms to integrate GAD perspectives in policies, programs, projects, and activities that empower people, promote inclusive and participatory governance, and equal opportunities for equal growth and self-representation.

With this, the Gender and Development Services of the Office of the City Mayor, an office created to ensure implementation of the said mandates, lives by this GAD core framework that will set the City Government’s roadmap in the next years.

GAD Vision

The City of Zamboanga envisions a gender-equal society in which all genders have equal access to opportunities and services and play active roles in development under fully gender-sensitive and responsive governance.

GAD Mission

To promote and provide equal rights, opportunities, and shared responsibilities to all genders by mainstreaming gender equality principles in policy, programs, project, and activities

GAD Goals

1. Mainstreamed gender in policy, programs, projects, and activities with equitable representation of all genders, marginalized sectors, and persons with special needs in the pursuit of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment;

2. Reduced cases of violence and discrimination against women, children, and persons with diverse SOGIE;

3.   Increased equal access of all genders, especially women, to goods, health, and social services; and

4.   Increased the participation and representation of women and persons of diverse SOGIE in leadership and special bodies.