Advancing Gender Equity in Development Plan Preparation in Laguna, Philippines

Abstract

Women and men play crucial roles as catalysts for change in economic, social, and political spheres in development through participation in plan preparation. The study assessed the gender responsiveness and women representation of Laguna's development plans through document analysis and use of the Harmonized Gender and Development (GAD) Guideline checklist for development planning. The four provincial planning documents evaluated have ‘conditional passing’ mark or promising gender and development prospects. Notable gender-related issues, objectives and strategies of the assessed plans were focused on social services affecting health, nutrition, and population management programs. Deciding bodies that endorse and adopt the plans reflected only 20.5 % women, far from having equal representation. It is recommended that the province's strategic role be strengthened in providing technical assistance in GAD mainstreaming for further capacitating its cities and municipalities. Moreover, a localized HGDG checklist reflecting the local plan structure to appropriately assess gender components is deemed necessary. Entry points to promote gender equity for the next planning cycle include addressing in-migration issues and climate change impacts, gender analysis in the manufacturing economy and sustaining demands for better social and infrastructure services.