Aiming to foster inclusivity and awareness among its students, West Visayas State University (WVSU) held a campus-wide Gender Sensitivity Orientation at the COM Gym last March 28, bringing together first-year students from various colleges.
The initiative aimed to equip students with a deeper understanding of gender-related issues and their impact on various sectors of society. The discussions also covered key topics such as the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics or the SOGIESC Equality Bill and the Safe Spaces Act, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and protection from discrimination.
Organized by the Gender and Development (GAD) Office in collaboration with GAD focal persons from different colleges and offices, the event carried the theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
Renowned educators and gender advocates facilitated the discussions, tailoring their sessions to specific academic disciplines.
Prof. Moniq Muyargas from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and former Director of Ugsad or the Regional Gender Resource Network, opened the series with a session for students from the College of PESCAR and the College of Information and Communication Technology. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity and respect to people of various SOGIE to achieve inclusivity within the society.
Dr. Agnes Segunda Gerasmo, a faculty member and GAD focal person of the College of Medicine, led the discussion for students from the colleges of Arts and Sciences and Dentistry. She tackled key gender sensitivity concepts through visual models like the Genderbread Person.
University Student Council (USC) Vice Chairperson Gerard Paul Gallo took the stage to introduce and advocate for Project Kanlungan: WVSU Safe Spaces Monitoring Operation jointly managed by GAD, USC, and the Management Information System Office. He also introduced the project in between the succeeding sessions.
This initiative serves as a digital platform designed to monitor and report incidents of sexual and gender-based violence on campus, reinforcing WVSU’s commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Meanwhile, Dr. Emily Dela Cruz, director of the Office of Student Affairs at Iloilo Science and Technology University, facilitated the orientation for students from the College of Education. She highlighted the crucial role of educators in promoting awareness and understanding of inclusivity and Safe Spaces, emphasizing their responsibility in fostering a more inclusive learning environment.
Closing the series, Dr. Barby Badayos-Jover, another esteemed professor from UPV, and formerly an Ugsad Director delivered the session for students from the colleges of Nursing and Business Management. She presented data and research on the societal status of women, highlighting best practices to promote women’s rights, inclusivity, and the protection of women and girls.
The Gender Sensitivity Orientation served as a platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions on gender equality, social inclusion, and the role of education in fostering a more equitable and safer society. By integrating these discussions early in their academic journey, WVSU aims to cultivate a more informed and socially responsible student body and gender-sensitive professionals.
Written by WVSU GAD, JA Temelo/PAMCO
Photos by JA Temelo/PAMCO
