Capping off the celebration of National Women’s Month (NWM), Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo Nograles proudly shared the agency’s milestones in promoting gender equality in government service. Nograles, who led CSC’s event called Piknik sa Kalikasan on March 31 said that their collective commitment strengthened the full participation of women at all levels, especially in decision-making and leadership posts. “We should take pride in this unique culminating activity as this reflects decades of gender advocacy efforts of the CSC and the leading role that the Commission plays in promoting gender equality in the entire bureaucracy, be it in the aspect of policymaking, technical assistance, or the implementation of our various programs and projects,” he said. According to Nograles, CSC’s gender and development (GAD) mainstreaming efforts have led to the establishment of programs and policies in support of landmark laws for the protection of women in the workplace. This includes the promulgation of the Disciplinary Rules on Sexual Harassment Cases which is considered a landmark issuance of the CSC. The issuance provides consistent and uniform rules and procedures for the investigation, prosecution, and resolution of sexual harassment cases in the government. In addition, the policy is aimed at providing a safe and inclusive workplace for civil servants. Nograles also noted that CSC has marked several milestones for the provision of work-life balance through the adoption of flexible working hours and the expansion of leave privileges for both men and women. “Along with being a gender-responsive human resources institution, ang goal po natin is to ensure non-discrimination and to provide equal opportunities for all. Ano man ang inyong antas sa institusyon, tayong lahat na narito ngayon ay may mahalagang papel na ginagampanan upang maitaguyod ang pantay na karapatan sa serbisyo sibil at sa buong lipunan,” added Chairperson Nograles. In celebration of NWM, CSC held internal month-long activities anchored on the recurring theme for 2023-2028, “WE for Gender Equality & Inclusive Society.” To cap off the NWM and to honor female officials and employees in the Commission, CSC once again conducted the annual Piknik sa Kalikasan. The unique hybrid activity included an audio-visual presentation featuring past and present female officials of the CSC and an online quiz bee that gauged participants’ knowledge of women’s history and achievements. Three resource speakers also recapped the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children, the Safe Spaces Act, and CSC Rules on Sexual Harassment.