Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines—Jhpiego Philippines successfully conducted a two-day Program Implementation Review and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Workshop on June 27-28, 2023. The event took place at the 1A Express Hotel in Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental, and brought together municipal, provincial, and regional partners from Northern Mindanao who are involved in the Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) Project.
“With over five years of implementation, the SHE Project has achieved significant milestones at various levels. Central to this endeavor is the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and the prevention of Gender-based Violence (GBV),” said Coleen Dolina-Anugon, SHE Regional Coordinator in Northern Mindanao.
SRHR encompasses the right to access comprehensive information and services related to sexual and reproductive health. It recognizes that individuals, especially women, and girls, have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, including reproductive choices, family planning, and protection against gender-based violence, to lead healthy and fulfilling lives, ensuring their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
During the workshop, the participants presented their documentation of good practices on SRHR and GBV prevention service delivery for learning and advocacy.
Dr. Neil Angelo Cabudoy, Municipal Health Officer of Dangcagan, Bukidnon.
Dr. Neil Angelo Cabudoy, Municipal Health Officer of Dangcagan, Bukidnon, noted that the sessions fostered constructive dialogue and knowledge exchange among participants, enabling them to collectively contribute to the project’s success and sustainability. “We were able to identify a list of successful approaches and recommend policy reforms to address issues that contribute to gender inequality through plenary discussions and small group workshops. We also discussed comprehensive strategies to engage various stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, educators, and communities,” he said.
“The primary objective of the workshop was to provide stakeholders with a structured platform for collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA). As the project approaches its completion, partners should continually collaborate, learn from their achievements, adapt, and create a safe and inclusive environment for all”.
CLA is an approach and set of practices that aim to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of development programs and projects.
Dr. Ingrid Magnata, Country Program Manager of Jhpiego Philippines.
“Jhpiego extends its gratitude to all the stakeholders, municipal, provincial, and regional partners who participated in the workshop. Their collaboration and commitment are vital in ensuring the continued advancement of sexual health and empowerment in the Philippines,” Dr. Magnata added.
The two-day workshop ended with a pledge of commitment, which was signed by the participants. The pledge of commitment highlighted that SRHR and GBV prevention is not just a matter of health; it is a matter of human rights, equality, and justice. Moreover, the pledge noted that taking decisive action to actively address and eradicate all types of gender-based violence in our communities will eventually create a world where everyone can live their lives with dignity and respect. A marketplace featuring various SHE initiatives was also set up, showcasing the efforts of local government units and civil society organizations in providing gender-sensitive sexual and reproductive health information and services.
“By promoting SRHR and preventing GBV, we pave the way for a society that respects and upholds the rights of every individual. It is a collective responsibility to challenge harmful norms, dismantle barriers, and create an environment where SRHR is universally recognized and protected,” concluded Daryl Leyesa, PKKK SHE Project Coordinator.
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About the SHE Project and Jhpiego:
Funded by Global Affairs Canada and led by Oxfam, SHE is implemented together with seven local civil society organizations. Jhpiego provides technical leadership by training health service providers and managers, strengthening youth-friendly and gender-responsive SRH outreach services, and promoting coordination of SRH and GBV services.
Jhpiego is a nonprofit global leader in the creation and delivery of transformative healthcare solutions for women and families worldwide.
In partnership with national governments, health experts and local communities, Jhpiego builds health providers’ skills and develops systems that save lives now and guarantee healthier futures for women and their families. Jhpiego aims to revolutionize health care for the planet’s most disadvantaged people.
Photos and Report courtesy of Geri Matthew Carretero, Communication and Knowledge Management Officer, Jhpiego PH