CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jul. 27 — With the Department’s strong advocacy for inclusivity and gender mainstreaming in the workplace, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – 10 launched its Gender and Development (GAD) corner, breastfeeding – lactation station, and child-minding center in the region.

The launching of the GAD corner will serve as a resource center for gender and development-related activities and offer a safe space for everyone to access services and opportunities for skills development as well as help build a more just and equal workspace for all.  

Additionally, working mothers who want to continue breastfeeding their babies upon returning to work were given utmost importance through the newly-installed lactation station.

Moreover, the child-minding center will reinforce and empower the DILG 10 employees in the region where busy working parents can entrust and leave their children for care. These stations are located at the DILG 10 Conference Room Function B 2^nd Floor.

DILG 10 Regional Director Wilhelm M. Suyko, CESO IV, emphasized the importance of gender inclusivity and ensured that the Department continues to promote and support the advocacy through such initiatives.

“Gender inclusion goes beyond mere equality and encompasses the idea that all services, opportunities, and establishments should be accessible to everyone, regardless of gender,” said RD Suyko.

In accordance with Section 36 of Republic Act No. 9710, commonly known as the Magna Carta of Women, the approach of Gender Mainstreaming was formally established as a strategy. This required all government entities to embrace and advocate for women’s human rights while eradicating gender discrimination across workplace environments, systems, structures, policies, programs, processes, and procedures.