UP-CIFAL Philippines Conducts Training on Advancing Gender Equality and SDG 5 in Communities

28-30 July 2026 — UP-CIFAL Philippines, in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), conducted “Oh, May GAD! Pagsulong ng SDG 5 sa Ating mga Komunidad” from July 28 to 30, 2026, at the CHR Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon Building, Quezon City, Philippines.

The three-day training convened representatives from local government units (LGUs) and partner institutions to strengthen their understanding and application of gender-responsive approaches in local governance. The program covered gender equality in the Philippine context, human rights, gender intersectionality, gender analysis tools, mainstreaming SDG 5 in programs, projects, and activities (PPAs), and participatory planning and project management.

Speakers emphasized that SDG 5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls) is interconnected with other Sustainable Development Goals and must be translated into concrete action at the local level. The sessions also emphasized the connection between gender equality and human rights. CHR representatives underscored the responsibility of LGUs as duty bearers to develop programs and create environments that uphold the rights of their constituents.

Beyond lectures, participants applied the concepts through hands-on activities, including the Power Flower, SOAR for Gender Equality, and SOAR-to-Action Plan for SDG 5 workshops. These activities encouraged participants to examine stakeholder participation, identify strengths and opportunities, and develop practical actions for advancing gender equality within their respective LGUs.

The program concluded with their presentations of each LGU’s SOAR-to-Action Plans and discussions on organizational initiatives for gender and development, further providing participants with opportunities to exchange local practices and experiences.

Through the training, UP-CIFAL Philippines and its partners reinforced the importance of equipping local actors with practical knowledge and tools to advance gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development in their respective communities. Oh, May GAD! sought to strengthen local capacity to move beyond awareness and toward more participatory, gender-responsive, and action-oriented governance, contributing to the broader pursuit of SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.