Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) from Regions 3 – Central Luzon, 4-A – CALABARZON, and the National Capital Region (NCR) gathered at UP Hotel in Diliman, Quezon City, for a workshop aimed at enhancing their collective efforts to address the many challenges they face. The workshop, focused on strategic planning, provided an opportunity for the BHW federations to unify their voices and amplify their impact in tackling the pressing issues confronting the health workers in their communities.<\/p>\r\n
Alongside the strategic planning sessions, the workshop featured crucial training on gender sensitivity, led by Catherine Gayo-Villon of the Associated Labor Unions \u2013 TUCP. The program emphasized the importance of understanding SOGIESC, gender roles, biases, and inequalities, particularly in the healthcare sector, where many workers\u2014especially women\u2014experience discrimination and unfair treatment. Participants examined the deeper implications of gender sensitivity in the workplace, focusing on how societal norms and expectations contribute to these challenges. The training also offered practical strategies to create more inclusive and respectful work environments, with a strong emphasis on legal rights and protections.<\/p>\r\n
“Gender sensitivity is a critical issue for many BHWs in the provinces, especially since many of us are not fully aware of these topics, and access to training is scarce,” said Jahmel Mora, President of the BHW Provincial Federation of Quezon Province<\/strong>. “By learning more about gender sensitivity, we can not only improve our work but also better advocate for the communities we serve.”<\/p>\r\n A key achievement of the strategic planning was the decision by BHWs from Region 3 and 4-A to affiliate with UNI Global Union – Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC), representing over 40,000 workers. This affiliation marks a pivotal step in unifying BHWs across regions to champion their rights and improve working conditions. With this move, BHWs are well-positioned to harness their growing numbers nationwide, further strengthening their collective power to advocate for their interests.<\/p>\r\n