DSWD 7 Conducts ERPAT Training

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas recently conducted a training on Enhanced Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT) Manual to strengthen the role and capacity of fathers as key partners in child survival, development, protection and participation.

Social Worker Rosemarie Salazar said the roll-out training is part of the continuing enhancement of ERPAT Manual as a result of
recommendations from various stakeholders.

The manual enhancement was based from a number of recommendations received by the DSWD Social Technology Bureau as a result of field visit, consultation and workshops like the project review of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) entitled Strengthening Government Mechanisms in Maintaining Gender in Reproductive Health, Population Development Strategies and Anti-VAW Programs.

Salazar said it was last 2008 when UNFPA conducted its project review.

“It recommended the inclusion of gender sensitivity session in the manual as well as Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere specifically on the Advocacy and Social Mobilization Component, thus, strengthening men’s participation in the practice of non-violent conflict resolution, gender equality and improve performance in parenting,” Salazar said during the training held at Golden Valley Hotel, Cebu City.

The enhanced manual consists of nine modules namely: Understanding Myself as a Person, Accepting Your Role as a Father, Becoming Your Wife’s Best Friend, Fathers as Child Caregivers, Promoting Family Spirituality, Fathers as Advocate in the Prevention of Family Violence, Fathers as Advocate in Promoting a Drug-Free Home, Fathers as Advocate in the Prevention of HIV-AIDS and Fathers as Advocate in Promoting Positive Discipline.

The three day activity, which was attended by service providers from 30 Local Government Units in the region, taught on how to use the ERPAT modules to their respective beneficiaries.

“This enhancement is just a testimony that DSWD is serious in advocating ERPAT among couples,” Salazar explained.

“We would like to impart to fathers and mothers the importance of creating a nurturing, trusting and empowering relationship among them and being positive role models for their children,” she underscored.

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