THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday said it would soon construct “gender-neutral” restrooms in the country.
Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, chairperson of DPWH Gender and Development Focal Point System, said the initiative is in line with department’s efforts to provide projects promoting gender equality.
With this, the DPWH official issued a memorandum directing all regional and district engineering officers to facilitate the construction of gender-neutral restrooms in all DPWH buildings and public infrastructure projects.
Among the undertakings are building facilities along highways in provinces where the motorists may stop.
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar lauded the initiative to help in the promotion of gender equality.
“It is only fitting that the department follows through with its gender and development (GAD) initiatives to contribute in the promotion of gender emancipation in the Philippines,” Villar said in a statement.
Recently, the DPWH was awarded a GADtimpala, a recognition given by the Philippine Commission for Women (PCW) to national government agencies that successfully implement gender-responsive programs.
It was recognized for effective utilization of its GAD Toolkit for Making Road Infrastructure Projects Gender Responsive.
The said toolkit lists the importance of having gender-responsive infrastructure facilities and incorporates them in the execution of all projects during planning, design, construction and maintenance stages. (PNA)
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