DOE sets new rules on gender balance, equality

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DOE) has launched “Gender Toolkit for the Energy Sector,” a set of guidelines aimed to institutionalize gender balance and equality in the agency.

“The DOE Gender Toolkit is a milestone for the sector and a glorification of my leadership in the agency being the first female Secretary,” former Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada said.

Monsada has been with the DOE for 37 years and rose from the ranks showing that women are able and capable to perform works related to science and technology, among others. 

Asst. Dir. Carmencita Bariso, head of Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System Technical Working Group, said it is “the very testament of our strong desire to pursue gender equality and women empowerment in our workplace by giving emphasis on the many possibilities that women can do.”

The DOE recognizes women as competent partners in nation building, particularly in policy and decision-making, through crafting and implementing programs and projects which are devoted to uplifting not only the female gender’s morale, but also educating the male counterpart of their important role towards the advocacy of gender balance.

The DOE, through the GAD Toolkit, provided a set of guidelines and reference materials to its internal units, attached agencies, and other offices and organizations in the energy sector to make their operations, policies and programs to be more responsive to the gender concerns of their stakeholders.