More women joining in KALAHI CIDSS decision making

MORE women are now involved in decision making in the Cordillera region.

This is according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) which reported a higher participation of women than men in local decision making processes under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI CIDSS) program.

DSWD-CAR social marketing officer Jasmin Kiaso said in 2016, based on their gender and development (GAD) report, they have recorded 59 percent of women participation in local decision making activities in the region compared with men.

"Sa Kalahi-CIDSS napakaimportante ang participation ng bawat isa, lahat po

dapat sabay - sabay para sa pagbabago dapat mag-participate regardless of gender or age,” Kiaso said.

“Ang participation ay magsisimula sa barangay assembly hanggang sa implementation ng mga sub-projects. Dapat sumasali tayo sa usapin kung ano ang kailangan ng community hanggang sa ma-implement at matapos ang project at hanggang sa gagamitin ang mga ito,” Kiaso added.

Women representation on KALAHICIDSS program organized committees were recorded to have at least 53 percent which is higher than men.

As to paid labor jobs, 30 percent are accessed by women which means more men are working in more subprojects under KALAHI-CIDSS program. This implies more men are working manually than women when it comes to harder jobs which involves physical power.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a community-driven development project implemented by DSWD which aims to improve the responsiveness of local government to community needs, encourage communities to engage in development activities as well to deliver benefits to barangay residents through the individual subprojects.