The third episode of GADTalk of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) centered on protection against online sexual harassment. This was broadcasted on 30 June 2021.
Titled “#SpeakYourself: Protecting Oneself Against Online Sexual Harassment,” the podcast featured Ms. Melanie M. Reyes, Gender and Development Head of Women and Gender Institute and a lecturer at Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) UPOU. She gave tips on how to protect oneself against online sexual harassment given different kinds of scenarios. One example she mentioned was to be wary of requests for intimate photos and videos even from relationship partners. According to her, “Love is not ill-mannered or selfish. Physical or emotional abuse is not part of love. Love is about caring for someone.” She advised not to give in to requests of such nature. This podcast aimed to address UPOU’s target of mainstreaming gender and prevent sexual harassment in the virtual classrooms and landscape.
GADTalk is a podcast series released monthly in collaboration with the Diploma in/Master of Social Work and Diploma in Women and Development programs of the UPOU FMDS. It is hosted by Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Director of the UPOU OGC, and tackles various concerns pertaining to sexual harassment in the cyberspace. The podcasts are released via the UPOU Network’s website, Anchor.fm, and Spotify.
Sustainable Development Goals
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas
Edited by Joane V. Serrano