GAD extension launched to help speed-up efforts on pandemic recovery


To aid in the country’s efforts toward pandemic recovery, the Gender and Development Research and Resource Center (GADRRC) of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) has launched the project, “GAD-IFSU Values Education or GIVE: Helping Women and Girls, Men and Boys Face the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic” to be carried out until December this year.

GIVE project aims to improve the resilience of sectors greatly hit by the pandemic.

“Our project seeks to reduce sources of stress for families of identified vulnerable groups who suffered or are suffering due to job loss, increased unpaid care work, health risk, domestic violence, and abuse,” said Joyce A. Bodah, GADRRC Director.

She added that the project will help create a responsive relationship for families of identified groups by strengthening their core skills through a series of activities.

Last May 6, a Reading Program was conducted in Mongilit-Ligmayo National High School in Ambasa, Lamut to formally kick off Project GIVE. Learners with difficulty in reading will benefit from 12 sessions to be done for 2 hours every Friday of the week.

The GADDRRC also held a conference with parents and teachers and learners on Building Positive Relationships to help develop a responsive relationship among and between them as they go through the reading sessions.

Ma. Rousselle Jandoc, Guidance Counselor of Nueva Vizcaya State University, expressed hope for this intervention to contribute to lessening stress and building the right values among participants in coping with crisis.

Moreover, the GADRRC held a seminar that centered on the psychological- physiological-spiritual well-being of learners and their parents in the same school on May 24, 2022.

Dr. Bodah introduced the GAD Information Drive, "Pandemyah: Ligat an Nidugah, Achi Mi'jaalla,” to at least 130 participants. She said that GAD is a development process that people should be part of regardless of age, sex, gender, religion, or economic status.

“Women play important roles in preventing crime and promoting peace among neighbors and families,” remarked Dr. Janice P. Milo, Faculty member of the College of Criminal Justice Education during her sharing on peacekeeping.

On the other hand, Cecille M. Mayam-o, a nurse in DepEd and Department of Health, talked about teenage pregnancy and its health risks.

“Early marriage and teen pregnancy badly affect the physical and psycho-social life of girls because they are not yet fully ready and mature,” she added.

Ms. Jandoc discussed interventions to support teen moms such as the creation of a teen pregnancy center. She shared some good practices of government and NGOs which focused on providing support to these young mothers.

Ptr. Roy A. Benayong of Lamut Grace Community Baptist Church also advised parents to trust God as they do not have full control of their children's actions.