TESDA kicks off women’s month celebration

March 08, 2024

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) formally opened its observance and celebration of the 2024 National Women’s Month with the sub-theme "Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, patutunayan!”

Deputy Directors General Rosanna A. Urdaneta and Aniceto D. Bertiz III led the kickoff during TESDA’s regular flag-raising ceremony on March 4.

In his message, TESDA Director General, Secretary Suharto T. Mangudadatu calls on the TESDAns to ensure that women have equal access to education, training, and employment opportunities.

“To my beloved TESDA family, let this month be a time of reflection, celebration, and action. Let us work hand in hand to create programs and activities that advocate for women’s empowerment and gender equality in the TVET sector,” Secretary Mangudadatu said.

He also added that TESDA is committed to creating a culture of respect, support, and inclusivity.

“Let us actively contribute to the transformation of our culture to one that values and respects the diversity of our people, not only in gender, but also in color, tribe, and religious beliefs. Let us continue with our mission in making TVET a bridge to extend lingap to every Filipino in need,” the TESDA Chief added.

TESDA has lined up various activities for National Women’s Month. Among these are the TESDA HATAW (Healthy & Active TESDAns At Work) Program on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, a proposed MOU signing with PCW, DepEd, and CHED for gender and development (GAD) integration in the education sector, and the launching of the GAD Awards sa TVET.

The agency is also set to hold TESDA Talks, a presentation focused on building safe spaces and advancing gender equality in the workplace; Competition for Women Gamers in TESDA; and a three-part GAD forum entitled “Women in ICT Forum”.

Additionally, the agency’s “Serbisyo Para Kay Juana” is the product launch of the TESDA Women’s Center’s Café Juana signature pastries every Friday of the month in partnership with Aboitiz Pilmico.

Over the years, TESDA has continuously been implementing programs toward gender equality. In 2014, TESDA received a Gender and Development Transformation & Institutionalization through Mainstreaming of Programs, Agenda, Linkages & Advocacies, or the GADTIMPALA Bronze award as one of the Outstanding Gender-Responsive Government Agencies in the Philippines.

Similarly, in 2019, TESDA received an award for Outstanding Gender-Responsive Government Flagship Programs for the Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program.

It can be recalled that Proclamation No. 227 issued in 1998 called for the observance of March as “Women’s Role in History Month”, while Republic Act No. 6949 enacted in 1990 declares March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day with the recurring theme: “WE for gender equality and inclusive society” introduced in 2023.