UPOU celebrates international women's month with exhibit and forums.The UP Open University joins the world in the celebration of the International Women's Month of March, through several activities that highlight women and other issues and concerns relating to them.
On 08 March 2016, UPOU launched the exhibit entitled "UGNAYAN. Connectivity. Interactivity. Networking," As stated in the curatorial note written by Dr. Primo Garcia, the exhibit "presents narratives of efforts in ASEAN integration, gender mainstreaming, and higher education. It is a tapestry of voices and stories of empowering women, men, children, and their communities through technology. It is a testament to the values of networks, integration, and connections – values embodied by the Filipino word, Ugnayan."
The exhibit opening and ribbon cutting was led by Chancellor Melinda dP. Bandalaria, in the presence of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Melinda Lumanta, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Admnistration Jean Saludadez, Faculty of Management and Development Studies Dean Inocencio Buot, Jr., and Faculty of Education Dean Patricia Arinto. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, Director of Office of Gender Concerns, and Dr. Primo Garcia, Chair of the Cultural Committee, along with other UPOU faculty and staff members also attended the said event.
This exhibit was first shown during the 4th Higher Education Summit on Gender Issues (HESGI) held on 27-28 January 2016 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). UPOU, through the Office of Gender Concerns and the Cultural Committee, was tasked to spearhead the exhibit in cooperation the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Women's Studies Association of the Philippines (WSAP) and the Asian Association of Women's Studies (AAWS). The exhibit is on display at the UPOU Community hub until 31 March 2016.
Other activities lined up for March included the forum "Towards Gender Equality and Justice: The Role of Men in Stopping Violence against Women" held on on 11 March 2016 and "Hugot ng Bayan para sa Halalan: A Forum on the People's Agenda for National Election 2016" held on 29 March 2016.
