Module3

Core Values and Principles of Community

Action Initiatives:
• Participatory Development
• Gender Equality
1. Establish the concepts of participatory development and
gender equality.
2. Examine the core values and principles of community action
initiatives on participatory development and gender equality.
3. Promote the values of participatory development and gender
equality in the community.
What is the purpose or connection to social justice
to participatory development?
PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT

Participatory Development Highlights the

involvement of the voiceless, those who are
marginalized in the development process it gives
recognition and importance to the poor and
disadvantaged people, as well as a chance for them
to be heard and get involved in the development
process. It encourages community involvement
most especially in discussion of social issues that
affect the community. It provides the people the
chance to advance their interests
and agenda as community.
The concept of participatory development is premised on the fact that people
have creativity, knowledge and wisdom and that they can be trusted based on
the people’s unique experience and deep knowledge of the social issues they
are confronted with, they can think of indigenous or local knowledge and
processes that are more appropriate in community development.
There are also four positions to characterize participatory development:
(Quevedo, 1995)

1. microlevel participatory development approach is based on the notion that in

the connection of contradictions between the rich and the poor, the powerful
and the vulnerable, there may be considerable space for the latter groups to
develop
countervailing power and organizations locally not only to keep local
economics
surplus but also to gain all- round development in their lives.
2. The solution to current crises lies not in simplistic, fragmented and
pragmatic solutions. It requires a holistic conceptual framework. A
complex strategy needs to guide the development initiatives of the
government, international organizations and non-government
organizations.

3. Human development is necessary and valuable. Improving human

capabilities will yield a return to the society. Development must focus
on welfare and capability building of individuals.
4. Poor people’s representation in community-based
organization can help in the identification of local
priorities and in determining which needs are essential.
Also, this can facilitate the formation of content of
development programs.

PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT: Public, Private

and the Community

The term “participatory development” first emerged in15-year old Lea tutors fellow children
mainstream academic discussion with the release in during weekends and summer
1983 of the book Rural Development: Putting the Lastvacations
(Photo by Joy Maluyo/World Vision
First by Robert Chambers. Photo source: worldvision.org.ph
It was coined primarily in reference to the importance of
participation from the grass roots for the better planning, execution,
and review of community development projects. “Putting the last
first” is indicative of the initial agendas highlighting community
participation as the most vital steps in engaging development at its
core.
Participatory level deals with empowerment through the
decentralization of authority to empower the grassroot by giving
them the opportunity to be part of social change. The Asian
Development Bank (ADB), according to the report of
According to the report of Richard Ondrik title Participatory Approaches to
National Development Planning, cites specific nuances and processes on how to
go about participatory development based on its initial experiences in the
Philippines and as well as other beneficiary countries.

Stakeholder Groups:

• General Public – those who are directly or indirectly affected by the project
(women’s group, individuals and families, indigenous groups, religious groups)
•

Government – civil servants in ministries, cabinets, and the like • Representative

assemblies – elected government bodies (parliament, national and local
assemblies, district and municipal assemblies, elected community leaders).
• Civil Society Organizations – networks, national and international
NGO’s grassroots organizations, trade unions, policy development
and research institutes, media, community-based organizations.

• Private Sector – umbrella groups representing groups within the

private sector, professional associations, chamber of commerce.

• Donor and international financial institution – resource providers

and development partners.
Aiding the stakeholders in their quest for community development,
the ADB also has specified the processes that are needed to be
improved to better carry out development projects for the
community.

• Decentralization of power and authority to the local government

units
• Cooperation with civil society organizations and non-government
organizations
• Harmonization of development policies and initiatives among
government and development partner.
GENDER EQUALITY AND EQUITY

Gender equality seeks the equal treatment of

men and women. This means equal
opportunities in life, elimination of
discrimination based on
gender, equal pay or equal work and others.
According to Quevedo (1995), the attainment
of gender equality is something that we must
be concerned of because of the following
reasons:
1. Gender inequality is a major cause of the deprivation experienced
by millions of women in the developing world. For instance, a high
level of maternal mortality is reflection of the low priority attached
to female survival.

2.The low status of women in many developing countries makes it

harder to enhance living standards in the society as a whole. It is
recognized that there is a powerful link between female literacy and
child mortality, as well as between female education
and fertility.
3. Gender equality possesses intrinsic value. Living in
a subordinate and dependent position is one form of
elementary deprivation.
The situation of gender inequality recognizes the
vitality of women’s movement especially in many
developing countries. Women realize the roots of
inequality when they are given freedom to explore
the situation.
The marital issues are not anymore just private matter The Philippines ranks as Asia's best
country on gender quality, illustrating
between husbands and wives. Marital issues cause by the great strides Filipino women have
inequality and injustice is already a public matter. made in society. But serious
discrimination, such as workplace
harassment and human trafficking
remains.
Photo source: asiafoundation.org
Local Struggle for Gender Equality

The Philippines has been one of the most progressive countries in Asia that
internalizes international norms and bridges them to local policies, with focus
on the protection of women’s right and promotion of their welfare. With the
enactment of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti- violence Against Women and
Their Children Act of 2014, the government finally consolidated a policy that
protects women and children from abuses. The statute covers issues of physical,
psychological and economic abuses against women, as well as the protection of
children’s rights under the law.
VALU I N G

Gender Equality is important because it is the foundation of any

fair society where each member has the opportunity to reach his
full potential. Achieving gender equality requires women
empowerment to ensure that decision making at private and
public levels so that all gender can fully participate as equal
partners in productive and reproductive life.