The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development of the BARMM continues the conduct of the Gender Sensitivity Training for Parent Leaders of Marawi, who have been displaced from their residences and livelihood base due to the effect of the ‘Marawi Siege’.

Atty. Nasihah S. Mamarungcas, GAD Focal Person, said, from the shelters that serve as their temporary abodes, 40 women are now being empowered by the ministry for them to become more gender sensitive and be able to advocate gender equity in their communities.

Minister Hamid Aminoddin D. Barra inspired the participants as he gladly welcomed them. He emphasized the need to distinguish Islamic teachings from cultural practices and the essence of gender equity that is worthy of advocating as it gives justice to both men and women.

“With this gender sensitivity, we are looking into effective ways to put every person or every thing into its right place”, Minister Barra explained.

In support to the activity, Annakarenina M. Daroyudun, RSW, MTSW, Social Welfare Officer III under DSWD-Pantawid Office Marawi Cluster, commended the training organizers. She pointed out the need to contextualize the lectures into the participants’ experiences as Maranao, Muslims, and as IDPs.

The main resource speaker of the training has been Norhaina C. Abdulaziz, SWBE topnotcher, Registered Social Worker and Assistant Professor IV at the Mindanao State University-Marawi.

With respective workshops, her topics included basic gender concepts, the role of culture and socialization in gender and development, and gender issues: violence and inequality.

Sheikh Ibrahim Bagumbun, Legislative Officer under the Office of MP Barra, explained the topic ‘Gender in Islamic Perspective’.