GLPP and LEB Conduct 8^th Iteration of “Gender and Development 101: A Webinar on Gender Sensitivity”

Now in its 8^th iteration, the University of the Philippines College of Law Gender Law and Policy Program (UP GLPP), in partnership with the Legal Education Board (LEB), successfully conducted their flagship “Gender and Development 101: A Webinar on Gender Sensitivity” on 03 May 2025. Held via Zoom and FB Live, the webinar continues to expand its reach, connecting with over 450 participants from law schools across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Dr. Cynthia Grace Gregorio, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Deputy Director for Training, Outreach, and Extension at the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, delivered her lecture on “Examining Gender and Society.” She provided an overview on the nuances of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). Following this, Prof. E. (Leo) D. Battad, GLPP Program Director, discussed the importance of language in shaping a gender-sensitive environment through her lecture, “Use of Gender-Fair Language.” GLPP Research Assistant, Raina Rheta Galut, then presented “How to be an Ally,” offering practical insights on respectful ways to acknowledge and promote gender diversity. For the final topic, Atty. Aubrey Mejia, GLPP Senior Legal Associate, discussed the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act and Safe Spaces Act, including various cases and applications of the said laws to different settings.

The program concluded with an open forum, allowing law students and faculty to freely ask questions related to the lectures. Participants actively engaged and provided vital questions that further sparked interesting and insightful discussions on current gender issues.

Since 2021, GLPP and LEB have consistently provided gender sensitivity orientations for Philippine law schools. Under the recently signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), they plan to continue holding two gender sensitivity training sessions annually, specifically designed for first-year law students nationwide.

This webinar series aims to equip participants with an overview of gender-related concepts and issues, with particular emphasis on gender rights issues within educational institutions. The overall aim of this event is to create a gender-sensitive, gender-aware, and gender-responsive legal community.