On August 6, 2024, the Office of Gender Concerns of UPOU facilitated a training workshop with the administrators and faculty of Cavite State University. Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, Director of the Office of Gender Concerns and Program Chair of the Diploma in Social Work at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), and Dr. Maria Lourdes Jarabe, Program Development Associate of OGC-UPOU and Program Chair of the Diploma in Women and Development served as resource speakers in Cavite State University’s Training-Workshop entitled Gender Matters! Embedding GAD Principles to Inclusive Education held in the International Convention (ICON) Center, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite.
Photo courtesy of Cavite State University
Dr. Taylan discussed the basics of gender responsiveness and the various gender issues within the education sector as well as the legal frameworks that will help address these concerns. She also provided tools for gender analysis on the education program and curriculum which the participants used in their workshop as they assessed their curricular offerings. On August 7, 2024, Dr. Jarabe discussed ways on how to develop gender responsive teaching materials. She also facilitated a workshop for participants to assess their teaching materials and subjects using the UPOU-OGC gender responsiveness toolkit.
Photo courtesy of Cavite State University
Gender inequalities have long existed within our educational institutions, such as gender stereotypes and biases embedded within learning materials and access to education and curricular offerings. By reforming the current curriculum, identifying gender biases, and speaking critically about issues related to gender inequality, entire generations can be nurtured and fostered towards a better, more progressive society. In hopes of transitioning to a more inclusive society, she also expounded on the different gender and development (GAD) policies which challenge the conservative traditions present within society.
In the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), the Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) spearheads raising awareness regarding women and gender-related issues. Dr. Taylan and Dr. Jarabe shared the different efforts made by the Office of Gender Concerns in light of gender inclusion, such as creating advocacy programs, researching gender issues, and raising the consciousness of the UPOU officials, faculty, staff, and students.
Photo courtesy of Cavite State University
Gender Matters! Embedding GAD Principles to Inclusive Education is directed towards educators, training them about the importance of GAD principles in their teaching methods. Teacher workshops such as this are important because it gives educators an opportunity to reevaluate and reform their current methods, integrating a more progressive and inclusive process.
These efforts are done in order to combat gender issues including gender-based violence. By changing how educators and school administrators approach the education system, gender awareness can take a more direct approach in enlightening the minds of the youth and ensuring that the education system would be an institution to foster gender equality. In the fight against gender inequality and stigma, changing the mindset and perceptions through the education sector is one of the best courses of action that we may have.
Photo courtesy of Cavite State University
Cavite State University is one of the partner HEIs of UPOU, as UPOU operationalizes its mandate to provide technical assistance to HEIs based on RA 10650.
Written by Samuel Benjamin Zach R. Basiao III ♦ Edited by Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan ♦ Cross-posted from the OGC Website
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