OIC-GAD Summit Launches "Sister Society OIC Chapter" for Inclusivity and Empowerment

The inaugural OIC GAD (Gender and Development) Summit, a landmark event for cooperative leaders, officers, staff, and members, successfully brought together attendees for two powerful days of learning, reflection, and heartfelt connection. The summit focused on solidifying the cooperative's commitment to gender mainstreaming and culminated in the official launch of the much-anticipated "Sister Society OIC Chapter" which will serve as a dedicated platform for women within the cooperative to connect, support each other, and drive gender equality initiatives forward.

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With the theme “Empowering All Genders: Promoting Inclusivity for a Stronger OIC,” the summit highlighted the cooperative’s sincere commitment to building a community where every individual—regardless of gender—feels respected, valued, and uplifted. Apart from all the activities set for the two days, the pivotal moment of the summit was the solemn oath-taking ceremony for the newly established Sister Society OIC Chapter and their commitment sharing and signing of the commitment tree. The event was attended by approximately 170 enthusiastic participants, primarily from the Cagayan de Oro area, the event symbolized a collective pledge to champion inclusivity, foster leadership among women, and actively implement the principles of the GAD framework within the cooperative's operations.

 

Throughout the sessions, participants engaged in meaningful conversations on compassion, understanding, and the importance of gender sensitivity within the cooperative movement. Supported by the NATCCO GADWE Unit (National Confederation of Cooperatives Gender and Development & Women Enterprise Unit), the gender audit and analysis of women in cooperative issues brought deeper insights that encouraged everyone to practice inclusivity not just in words, but in the way we live, work, and cooperate.

This milestone event marks a significant step forward as OIC strengthens its promise to champion diversity, empower all genders, and create spaces where everyone can thrive.