Press Release No. EBB-63-2019
JEDDAH PCG CONDUCTS A GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT (GAD) FORUM FOR ITS PERSONNEL
(Jeddah, 1 September 2019) – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah conducted a Gender and Development (GAD) Forum for its personnel on 30 August 2019. The forum consisted of lectures on the following topics: The Magna Carta of Women and Basic Gender concepts by Consul and Jeddah PCG GAD Focal Point Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, The Phenomenon of Human Trafficking and Human Trafficking: Is there a gender dimension? by Legal Officer and Attache Chares Marie R. Torres-Elacion, and Psychological First Aid and Stress Debriefing by Social Welfare Attache Annabel R. Oidem.
Some of the participants to the GAD Forum
In her lecture, Consul Dingal highlighted the various achievements of the Philippines in advancing women’s rights since Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) was signed into law on 14 August 2009. She also discussed the duty of the government as primary duty-bearer in implementing the said law. She likewise emphasized how a correct understanding of basic gender concepts can impact on the genuine empowerment of women in all aspects of their everyday life.
Consul Dingal
Legal Officer and Attache Torres-Elacion explained the phenomenon of human trafficking and how it is regarded as a form of modern-day slavery victimizing mostly women and children. She mentioned that trafficking in persons remains one of the grave challenges facing the international community, including the Philippines. She gave tips on how Consulate personnel can help in detecting possible human trafficking cases.
Legal Officer and Attache Torres-Elacion
Social Welfare Attache Oidem gave a thorough briefing on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and stress management. She emphasized that PFA can be learned by both professionals and non-professionals who are in a position to help people affected by very distressing events in their lives. She discussed certain approaches and techniques that Consulate personnel may apply to themselves and clients in the course of helping the latter in a stressful environment.
Social Welfare Attache Oidem
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