CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Australian Embassy in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the AFP Gender and Development Office (AFPGADO) and the Department of National Defense (DND), conducted a network exchange activity in celebration of the National Women's Month today, April 19 at the AFP General Headquarters.
AFPGADO Chief, Col Arlene A Fragé PA, thanked the Australian Embassy for initiating the event and welcomed the participants. "Let us be empowered and use this not only to our advantage but to be of help to others, to be their voice," she said as she encouraged them to take the opportunity to learn about gender equality from the session.
Senior female officers and leaders from the participating agencies took part in the said activity with Col Fragé; Dr. Moya Collett, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy in the Philippines; Director Dinna Anna Lee L Cartujano, Office for Civilian Human Resource, DND; Col Leah L Santiago PA, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1; Col Ma Christina Basco PAF, Chief, International Affairs Division, OJ5, AFP; and Capt Venus Gualdaquever PN, Deputy Commander, Civil-Military Operations, Philippine Navy as resource speakers.
Aus Embassy's Deputy Head of Mission, Dr. Moya Collett, also shared her delight during the activity. "This event today represents another key step in this growing partnership, one which we look forward to continuing later this year and in the years to come," she expressed.
The activity was conducted through speed networking, where participants were given a chance to converse with the leaders and discuss insights about leadership, gender equality, empowerment, and inclusiveness. In addition, the discussion between the participants and leaders offered an opportunity to share stories of empowered female leadership and gender and development.
During the closing, Assistant Secretary for Human Resource, DND Antonio L Bautista congratulated and thanked the attendees. "Hopefully, the discussions you had gave you insights into women's empowerment. Again,congratulations, and let us keep the fire burning," ASec. Bautista said./// (Photo by Mr Boboyo, PAOAFP)
