What is Gender and Development (GAD)?

Gender and Development (GAD) is a development perspective that recognizes the unequal status and situation of women and men in society. It is a process that is participatory and empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, and supportive of self-determination and actualization of human potential. At the same time, it addresses women’s strategic interests and the interests of the poor through people–centered development and gender mainstreaming activities.

Gender Mainstreaming refers to the strategy for making women’s concerns and experiences as well as those of the men, an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs in all social, political, civil, and economic spheres so that women and men benefit equally. Hence, inequality is not perpetuated, and discrimination against women will be minimized.

Discrimination Against Women is any gender-based distinction, exclusion, or restriction which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition enjoyment, or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other field.


Legal Bases

Here are some of the legal bases for the establishment of the QCN GAD office.

  • Pursuant to Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, agencies are tasked to formulate a GAD office and implement the utilization of at least five percent (5%) of their total budget appropriations.

  • Philippine Constitution, Article II Section 14: The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law and men.

  • Republic Act 7192, February 12, 1992. Women in Development and Nation-building Act which promotes the integration of women as full and equal partners of men in development and nation-building and for the purposes.

  • Gender and Development Accord of Philippine Higher Education Institutions with a Declaration of Commitment and Partnership among the presidents of the State Universities and Colleges, other Public Higher Education Institutions, and Private Higher Education Institutions.