{"id":4445,"date":"2020-04-20T23:01:38","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T15:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/balaymindanaw.org\/main\/?p=4445"},"modified":"2020-04-21T16:16:46","modified_gmt":"2020-04-21T08:16:46","slug":"gender-sensitivity-a-way-towards-a-peaceful-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/balaymindanaw.org\/main\/2020\/04\/20\/gender-sensitivity-a-way-towards-a-peaceful-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Gender-Sensitivity: A Way towards a Peaceful Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WePeace Quezon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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by: Kaye Michelle Villaflor<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gender Advocate and Woman Peacekeeper<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As a gender advocate, I was sent by Linda Villaflor, a long-time partner of the Center for Peace Education (CPE) to join the WePeace Training Team. Though reluctant, I obliged. Going through the first few days of the training, there were certain realizations that reaffirmed my stand on this advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peacekeeping, most of the time, is a responsibility given to men. So how do women become peacekeepers? In my observation, women are already part of the barangay police force in some areas.  But in others, they are not. This made me think — to have a peaceful community, everyone must be involved and be gender sensitive. Why? Because the essence of gender sensitivity is not about who has power or authority. It refers to acknowledging the presence of the other, and understanding and respecting their choices and situations. When people learn to respect others, and do not let authority, power or entitlement oppress others, a peaceful life is realized. Men, women, and everyone in the broad gender spectrum must realize this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, the next question: where do I go with this realization in mind? In my case, I brought it home. With CPE, the WePeace partners with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, brought the women peacekeeping training in Infanta, Quezon last 30-31 May 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infanta faces a major peace and security issue \u2013 the proposed Kaliwa Dam Project. Another troubling issue highlighted in the training was the prevalence of domestic violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With more than 20 women participating from three parishes, most have agreed that domestic violence is one important issue that needs attention and action. Emerging from the training, and working closely with the local parish priest and CPE, efforts to address gender-based issues is where Infanta\u2019s WePeace story begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n