The Department of the Foreign Affairs - Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (DFA-TCCP) initiated a technical and capacity building program for Sri Lankans on Gender Mainstreaming on 16 September 2021 involving the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs of Sri Lanka.
This training program is one in a series of three that will be conducted by DFA-TCCP for enhancing bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka on account of the establishment of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The training program comprises the Learning Session on Basic GAD Concepts, Gender Mainstreaming (GM), Gender Analysis (GA) and Gender-Responsive Budgeting.
The Chair-Alternate DFA-TCCP Lilybeth Deapera, in her welcome remarks, spoke about the importance of gender equality and the need for gender mainstreaming in the society. She elaborated on the implementation of Goal 5 Sustainable Development Goals on a priority basis by countries for advancing gender mainstreaming as a whole and appreciated the collaborative efforts by the Embassy and the continuous support extended by the respective line Ministries in Sri Lanka to work out a fruitful programme.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Philippines Shobini Gunasekera, in her opening remarks, elaborated on the country’s commitment towards achieving gender equality through the implementation of sustainable development goals and the government blue print - “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor”, the National Policy Framework for Development of Sri Lanka. She also touched upon the advancement that Sri Lanka has already made by citing that Sri Lanka was the first country to grant Universal Adult Franchise in 1931 and was also at the forefront by paving way for the first female Prime Minister in the world Sirimavo Bandaranaike to be elected in 1960. She remarked that advances have been made in securing better rights for women through increased representations in the fields of education, health, economic and political empowerment. She however noted that we cannot be complacent but strive to achieve more.
Secretary of the State Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Kumari Jayasekera thanked DFA-TCCP for initiating a comprehensive training program that gives a deep sense of understanding on the subject matter.
30 participants from the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and other line ministries from Sri Lanka are participating in the program conducted in three sessions and will conclude on 11 October 2021.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Manila
01 October 2021
