Tagbilaran City – In celebration of the 2022 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC), the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center 7 conducted a Gender-based Training on Health and Wellness among its employees on March 8 – 10, 2022 at Green Thumb Farm, Corella, Bohol. The said activity commenced on March 8, 2022 as that day was also the National Women’s Day.

The activity was organized to increase the sensitivity among its employees to the implications of gender inequality and demanding that problems of gender discrimination be identified and overcome while keeping in mind their health and wellness. Further, the activity also highlighted the gains achieved by women and looked forward to steps that must be taken to ensure progress in empowering women. Specifically, participants were able to relate gender sensitivity, gender equality and development; assess their physical, mental, psychological, and social well- being; and recognized the value of respect and appreciate the differences between men and women.

Within the said activity, participants were immersed into a wellness activity where they were taught how to manage stress and how to better understand themselves to guide in understanding among peers within the workplace. Staff were also provided with the opportunity to undergo medical check up to monitor the level of their health. To support continuity of active lifestyle activity, a weekly-Friday dance session is being organized among employees to promote healthy lifestyle in the workplace.

Aside from the health and wellness activity for the employees, short feature of women as #JuanaSaAgrikultura are being posted in the official social media sites of ATI RTC 7. The feature is a way of paying tribute and recognition to women who champ in agriculture.

When asked about his impression about the health and wellness activity, Charlou Ampit – one of the employees – said, “A big thanks to ATI-7 that I’m part of this team. I found the activity very helpful in improving my lifestyle. In this training, I learned how to control my emotions and was able to get important tips on how to handle stress; that you just smile and it will help relieve the burden that you carried out in daily life. Also, the facilitator encourages us to eat several types of fruits and vegetables which is called rainbow food. By that, I encourage myself to turn into a healthy lifestyle which can help me live longer.”

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Maryjane Flor Patulilic, Project Officer, through her email at mfpatulilic@gmail.com.