UP GLPP HOLDS ITS FIRST GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR

Last 09 April 2021, the UP Gender Law and Policy Program (UPGLPP) of the University of the Philippines College of Law hosted its first Gender and Development Webinar entitled “Gender and Development 101: A Webinar on Gender Sensitivity,” which was livestreamed in the official Facebook page of the UP College of Law was livestreamed in the official Facebook page of the UP College of Law. Aimed towards creating, continuing, and expanding the spaces for dialogue regarding gender-related issues in educational institutions, the GAD Webinar provided an overview of the fundamentals of gender rights and laws and gender-rights issues through the expertise of key resource persons.

More than 400 registrants and 3,000 viewers in Facebook across the country took part in the event. The participants included professors and students from the UP College of Law, fellow students and deans from different law schools, other professionals, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and the special participation of Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic F. Leonen. The UPGLPP webinar was in partnership with the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), the UP Law Student Government (UP LSG), UP Paralegal Volunteers’ Organization (UP PVO), UP OUTLaws and the UP Portia Sorority.

Dean Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II of the UP College of Law delivered the opening remarks during the webinar, noting the significance of the celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan in the same day with a personal anecdote and acknowledging the work, effort, and dedication of the resource speakers in the event towards the cause of gender equality in the country. Dr. Nathalie Africa Verceles, the Director of the UPCWGS, provided a comprehensive lecture on gender-related concepts and issues, including SOGIESC, hegemonic and harmful masculinity, intersectionality, and feminism. Dr. Excelsa C. Tongson, the Deputy Director for Training and Outreach of the UPCWGS, presented a timely and enlightening discussion regarding gender-fair language and women and LGBTQI empowerment, tracing how sexist language came about, what it consists of, and where it is found. Associate Professor Leo D. Battad, the Program Director of the UP GLPP, provided a legal perspective and current developments regarding anti-sexual harassment, discussing the similarities and differences of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (R.A. 7877) and the Safe Spaces Act (R.A. 11311), as well as the salient features of the UP Anti-Sexual
Harassment Code (UP ASH Code) in relation to the above-cited laws. The reactors from the various organizations provided key insights and takeaways from the discussion, explaining how gender-related issues remain prevalent today and how the topics relate to and impact their organizations’ advocacies.

The webinar concluded with the parting words from UPGLPP’s special guest, Associate Justice Marvic F. Leonen, who urged for a more serious approach regarding the use of language, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach regarding gender issues. He gave the assurance that the stakeholders have a voice in the court, and encouraged the amplification of this voice through the production of literature through various law journals.