In the remote barangay of Banban, Conner, Apayao daily life used to be filled with challenges, especially for women. The community was far from the town center, roads were rough, and bringing agricultural products to the market was a struggle. For many women, this meant carrying heavy loads across long distances, with limited opportunities to grow or be heard.

Everything started to change when the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS) reached their area.

In 2022, the Grouted Riprap Project protected their roads from erosion. In 2023, road concreting improved mobility, allowing vehicles to reach even the farthest sitios. By 2024, the construction of a warehouse with a mechanical dryer gave women and farmers better access to post-harvest facilities, helping preserve the quality of their produce and ease their workload.

But the most meaningful change wasn’t just seen in the roads, it was seen in the people, especially in women like.

Emilyn used to be very shy. Like many women in rural areas, she didn’t see herself as someone who could lead or speak up. But when she became a community volunteer through DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS, she began to discover her voice and her strength.

Through various community trainings and seminars, Emilyn learned how to participate in local governance. She gained skills in procurement, documentation, project monitoring, and construction reporting. Tasks she once thought were too complicated became things she could confidently do.

“Idi, ubbingak ken awan ti pagbanagan ti sao ko. Ngem idi nairamanak iti KALAHI-CIDSS, naadalak a mangted ti opinion, mangidaulo ti proyekto, ken makipartisipar iti decision-making. Ita, ammo kon a ti boses ti maysa nga babai, kasla kaniak, ket adda kabaelana, (Before, I was quiet and felt like my voice didn’t matter. But when I became part of KALAHI-CIDSS, I learned to share my opinions, lead projects, and participate in decision-making. Now, I know that a woman’s voice, like mine, has power.)”, Emilyn said. 

Now, Emilyn is no longer just helping implement projects, she is leading community meetings, facilitating trainings, and inspiring other women to step forward. She shows that with the right opportunities and support, women can speak up, lead change, break barriers, and uplift entire communities.

KALAHI-CIDSS promotes gender equality through activities such as Gender Sensitivity Trainings, Gender and Development (GAD) orientations, and the use of the KALAHI-CIDSS GAD Mainstreaming Framework. The program applies gender analysis tools like the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines, enforces gender and social safeguard policies, and ensures women’s participation in leadership roles and paid labor. Over 50% of trained community volunteers are women, and at least 35% of paid laborers in sub-projects are female, ensuring inclusive and gender-responsive community development.

DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS did more than build infrastructure, it helps empower women. And through stories like Emilyn’s, we see how gender-responsive programs can truly transform lives. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Yvonne Gracious T. Elegado, Social Marketing Officer III