Gender Toolkit: On building relationships
Written by Angelica de las Alas
Being the first gender pilot municipality in the MIMAROPA region is what sets apart the municipality of Torrijos from other municipalities that have previously implemented and currently implementing the KALAHI-CIDSS. Focusing on gender sensitivity, both the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) and Municipal Coordinating Team (MCT) were bent on using the gender toolkit in order to be integrated in the social investigation stage of the CEAC, the first step to project implementation.
Successfully integrating gender sensitivity in the Community-Driven Development (CDD) Process is not the only thing that makes the municipality of Torrijos in the province of Marinduque a model LGU; it is primarily the utilization of the strong partnership between the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) and the Municipal Coordinating Team (MCT) that makes the municipality worthy of the title.
While the task ahead of them is difficult, both teams’ determination on the success of the first run of KALAHI-CIDSS implementation did not waver but just got strengthened further. Both of the teams’ participation in capability-building activities has shown how determined they are to be on top of their game in empowering the community in terms of gender sensitivity and decision-making. Having the same goal of integrating gender and the principles of CDD, converging for KALAHI-CIDSS is not a difficult task for them. As a matter of fact, sharing the same goal and passion to empower people made them more of like a match made in heaven. This gave Torrijos an edge over the other municipalities.
But just like any relationship, the bond between the ACT and the MCT is not just about highs; they had a fair share of lows as well. Being part of the Local Government Unit of Torrijos, it’s very challenging for the MCT members to handle both responsibilities for KALAHI-CIDSS and their Municipal Government. There are instances where the schedule of KC activities, especially those at the barangay level, is conflicting with MCT members’ municipal activities. Since their primary role in the municipality is fulfilling their roles in the LGU of Torrijos, they tend to focus more on their original tasks in the municipal hall rather than on attending barangay assemblies.
However, no matter how difficult this is on the part of the ACT, this problem did not bring them down at all. Their fair share of highs and lows were taken into account and were put into good use, as lessons to be lived and remembered by. In a nutshell, their good rapport brought out the best in them, making them succeed in achieving their goals and in becoming a model LGU. Their experiences, both good and bad, made the ACT and MCT of Torrijos realize that the quality of a relationship could define the success of a team and the success of what the team is working for. This is definitely something other communities can learn from.
Essentially, the gender toolkit helped them develop the relationship capital required of the team. It aided them in learning their roles and functions for them to carry out the work effectively. The pilot implementation of gender in Torrijos has subsequently made the team more sensitive and responsive to issues that the community members are facing. It is through this, that it will be able to shed light on the far more pressing issues that need to be addressed.###
