IN LINE with national mandates under the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710) and the local government’s commitment to building a safe, inclusive, and violence-free society, the City Government of Tagbilaran conducted a “Gender Sensitivity and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Seminar-Workshop” for selected city employees and Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives on February 4–5, 2026, at JJ’s Seafood Village.
The two-day capacity-building activity was made possible through the support and funding of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and forms part of the Yap-Jala Administration’s continuing efforts to mainstream gender in governance and promote respectful, equitable, and productive workplaces.
Recognizing that gender sensitivity fosters inclusive environments and that strong safeguarding mechanisms protect vulnerable groups, the training aimed to strengthen accountability and institutional responsibility within the local government.
It equipped participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to integrate gender responsiveness and protection principles into their daily operations and public service delivery.
The seminar-workshop was facilitated by Rabia Mustapha, who led in-depth discussions on gender issues, workplace ethics, power relations, and policies on preventing, reporting, and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse.
Interactive sessions, case studies, and group discussions enabled participants to better understand gender stereotypes, discrimination, and appropriate gender-sensitive approaches in the workplace.
Participants from various city departments, offices, and partner CSOs actively engaged in the sessions, reflecting the administration’s strong commitment to strengthening a culture of respect, professionalism, and zero tolerance for abuse and harassment across both government and civil society sectors.
City officials emphasized that the activity supports the administration’s vision of building institutions that uphold dignity, equality, and public trust.
By enhancing the capacities of public servants and community partners, the city seeks to ensure that government services remain accessible, responsive, and protective of all constituents, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable sectors.
The training also encouraged participants to develop personal and office-level action plans that promote gender equity and reinforce safeguards against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH), further institutionalizing gender-responsive governance in the city.
With the successful conduct of the seminar-workshop, the City Government of Tagbilaran, together with CRS, CSO partners, and other development stakeholders, continues to advance its mission of promoting good governance, social justice, and a culture of respect—laying the foundation for a safer, more inclusive, and empowered Tagbilaranon community.
