Aaron Ernest Cruz, News, PUP Campus Journalists
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines Gender and Development Office (PUP-GADO) kicked off its “Serbisyo para kay Juana 2024” initiative as part of the 2024 National Women’s Month celebration together with offices and organizations at University Avenue on Monday, March 4.
With the theme “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society” at “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!” the event honored women’s contribution in society and amplified their call for empowerment.
Start of women’s month In the morning flag ceremony, President Manuel Muhi expressed his support for women’s empowerment and encouraged the students and faculty to join the month-long activities related to the said event.
In an interview, President Muhi also showcased the institutions and offices that make the university a safe space for women and empower them to inspire and contribute to society.
“Bilang isang malaking pamantasan, tayo’y naglagay ng institutions, mga programa ng unibersidad na kaakibat sa pagtataguyod ng pag-empower ng mga kababaihan. Andyan iyong Gender and Development Office na siyang namumuno sa buong community natin para maglunsad ng sari-saring activities, mga programa na related sa pagmumulat [at] pagbibigay ng kaalaman kung ano ang kahalagahan ng gender at yung pagpapahalaga sa kababaihan,” Muhi said
(As one of the big state universities, we put institutions [and] programs in our university in connection with empower women. We also established the Gender and Development Office, that leads the whole community to initiate various activities and programs related to enlightenment [and] gives information on the significance of gender and gives importance to women.)
He also led the ribbon cutting to commence the PUP’s 2024 National Women’s Month celebration, which officially started following the flag ceremony.
Catering services for women Meanwhile, various organizations and offices also assemble interactive booths and services along University Avenue as part of the “Serbisyo para kay Juana” initiative. Free consultations, medical and reproductive health services, freebies, and cultural exhibits for students, especially women, were provided during the event.
Led by Sean Paul Dela Cruz, the Gender and Safe Space Committee of the PUP Office of the Student Regent (OSR) gave free contraceptives and educational brochures, tackling womanism amidst their struggles in society.
Dela Cruz then asserted to amplify the call of women as they fight for safe space and equality, participating actively to spread educational information to nourish their advocacies.
“Bukod sa pagiging advocate dapat aktibo rin tayo sa pagbibigay ng impormasyon para ipagpatuloy ’yong pagyaman ng kanilang estado sa lipunan, given na sa taon na namumuhay ay nasasama sila sa marginalized sector,” Dela Cruz added.
(Apart from being advocates, we should also be active in giving information to continuously enrich their status in society, given how long they live, but they are still included in the marginalized sector.)
For Liyan Margarette Banzagales, a student from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) who attended the event, the booths were educational in terms of women’s struggles and healthcare in general. She also stressed the importance of initiatives like this for women.
“Maraming taon nang nababaon ang kababaihan sa anino ng patriarchy. Hindi nabibigyan ng pansin at tamang recognition—ninanakawan pa nga ng mga merit e. At hanggang ngayon, laganap pa rin ito sa mundo. Mayroon pa ring iilang parte sa mundo na hindi binibigyang karapatan ang kababaihan. Importante na magcelebrate ng Women’s month to showcase our appreciation to our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and to those powerful women to look up to,” she said.
(Women are immersed in the shadow of patriarchy for many years. They didn’t receive a rightful recognition—even the merits are being stolen from them. Up until now, it is still prevalent in this world. Some parts of the world don’t recognize the rights of women. It is important to celebrate women’s month to showcase our appreciation to our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and to those powerful women to look up to.)
Future plans According to GADO Director Jerome Permejo, there will be more projects prepared by them under the women’s month celebration, such as the first PUP Women’s Forum on March 20, at the Claro M Recto Hall. “This activity provides a venue for women leaders in the University to share their experiences and advocacies to address persisting gender issues that women still experience in PUP,” he said
The office is also planning to officially launch the #BawalBastos campaign against gender-based violence and sexual harassment and will be taking part in the 18-Day campaign to End Violence Against Women.
Serbisyo para kay Juana is an annual activity every women’s month initiated by GADO since 2023. It provides goods and services for women and serves as a means to show appreciation, emphasizing the crucial plight of upholding gender equality in society.
Photo source: Event Highlights. (2024, March 5). PUP Gender and Development Office Facebook page album. https://www.facebook.com/gadpup/posts/pfbid04opPWLr9pefbzN9RKXeuD7N5qPnUBDgV2Gef2GtATEosNHQcgkZSTeLUaVHNUTp3l Photo source: Event Highlights. (2024, March 5). PUP Gender and Development Office Facebook page album. https://www.facebook.com/gadpup/posts/pfbid04opPWLr9pefbzN9RKXeuD7N5qPnUBDgV2Gef2GtATEosNHQcgkZSTeLUaVHNUTp3l
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