West Visayas State University (WVSU) has begun its 2026 National Women’s Month celebration, with activities lined up across campuses to engage students, faculty and staff throughout March.

The university formally launched the observance during the first flag-raising ceremony of the month at Jubilee Park. Prof. Rosalea Cornelia Araneta-de Leon, director of the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, encouraged the WVSU community to take part in the monthlong activities organized by GAD focal persons.

National Women’s Month is observed every March in the Philippines under the Philippine Commission on Women. The 2023-2028 theme, “WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society,” continues this year with the subtheme “Lead Like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”—a call to recognize and strengthen women’s leadership in communities and institutions.

At WVSU, the GAD Office will roll out interactive and educational initiatives designed to spark conversation and awareness on gender issues. These include an interactive photobooth frame wall and a bulletin board exhibit featuring notable women in history. The exhibit will be updated weekly to highlight women’s contributions across various fields.

Satellite campuses and the WVSU Medical Center will also host activities, such as booth set-ups, unity dances, and gender-sensitivity training sessions, to deepen understanding of gender and development principles within their respective communities.

Through these events, the university joins the nationwide campaign to promote gender equality, recognize women’s role in nation-building and strengthen inclusivity across the academic community.

The full schedule of activities for the university’s National Women’s Month celebration is available on the WVSU GAD Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17EF4m26YJ/.