(L-R): Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, Ms. Nenieveh “Weng” Glinoga with her husband Mr. Silvestre Glinoga, and Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan presenting the tokens and certificate of the speaker.
Various University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) offices such as the Office of Gender Concerns (OGC), Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), and Multimedia Center worked together for the conduct of OPEN Talk: IP Women in Permaculture and Health on 22 March 2023, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am (PST) in the CCDL Auditorium, UPOU. This is in line with the Women’s Month celebration and International Day of Forests in UPOU. Its primary objectives are to increase public understanding of two topics: (1) the place of women in society; and (2) the value of permaculture, horticulture, forestry, and native trees. Ms. Nenieveh “Weng” Glinoga, a permaculture designer and proprietor of Glinoga Integrated Farm, was the resource person.
The program host started by greeting and welcoming the audience to the program. She thenintroduced the moderator, Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, and the resource person, Ms. Glinoga. Glinoga started her talk by acknowledging the importance of women in the permaculture and health sectors, noting that women make up a significant portion of the workforce but are often overlooked and undervalued. She highlighted women’s challenges in these fields, such as gender bias and discrimination, and emphasized the need for more women in leadership roles.
Ms. Glinoga also discussed the connection between permaculture and health, pointing out that the two are intrinsically linked. Permaculture, which emphasizes sustainable and regenerative practices, can promote healthier ecosystems and, in turn, healthier communities. She explained that women’s involvement in permaculture could lead to more equitable and sustainable practices, benefiting both the environment and society.
Furthermore, Ms. Glinoga emphasized the importance of community involvement in permaculture and health initiatives. She discussed how women, in particular, can be critical drivers of community-based solutions that address food security, health care access, and environmental degradation.
Ms. Glinoga also spoke about her experience as a woman in permaculture and health, highlighting the challenges she faced and the support she received from other women in these fields. She encouraged other women to support one another and emphasized the importance of building networks and communities to promote gender equity and sustainable practices.
After Ms. Nenieveh “Weng” Glinoga’s inspiring talk, the event continued with a dynamic Q&A session moderated by Dr. Flores. It allowed attendees to engage further with the topic and deepen their understanding of the issues raised. As the session drew to a close, Mr. Jabez summarized the key points discussed, emphasizing the need for more spaces for women in leadership roles in permaculture and health and the importance of community involvement and sustainable practices.
Written by Faye Anjeli Lopez
Edited by Finaflor Taylan and Myra C. Almodiel
