It was like a refresher course for some 15 employees of DSWD Field Office Eight, together with their respective spouses, as they attended a workshop on gender sensitivity last April 21 to 22 at the Tierra de Milagrosa in Palo, Leyte.

The activity, which turned out to be productive, was a reminder for employees to keep their marriages alive despite the heavy demands of work at the DSWD, said Policy and Plans Division Chief, Yvonne Abonales. Also the focal person for Gender and Development, Abonales added that another objective was to generate greater understanding from the staff on the issue of Gender and Development.

In his inspirational message, DSWD Region Eight Director Restituto Macuto told participants to”find time for your family, for your partners,” asking, “what is work if you have no time for your family?’ Also, he pointed out to them that, “you can never be productive if you are not in good relations with your partner.”

He expressed fears that dysfunctional families might break out within the organization because of the employees’ busy schedules and struggle of time. However, Macuto emphasized that “it is just a matter of managing your time and giving priority to your spouses,”

Meanwhile, resource speaker Marilyn Lim of the Community of God’s Little Children, proposed to the group to make an action plan, for participants to conduct series of same seminar-workshop. “This might save a couple, a family,” she said.

Lim revealed that in the processing of their marriages, their common challenge was the lack of time for their spouses, especially. With the activity focusing on the theme, Marriage : A vocation, a ministry, and a lifetime commitment, her exercises among spouses were geared towards analyzing their strengths and weaknesses and how to deal with these.

She discussed tips on how to become a considerate and loving spouse, and how to make their relationships last, among others.# ‪#‎dswdserves‪#‎dinkysunflower ‪#‎dswdspeaks @dswdserves @dinkysunflower