Angelo Acedera, News, Communication Management Office
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University System (PUP-OUS) Center for Gender and Development (GAD) conducted a webinar titled “Safe Spaces and SOGIESC in Open and Distance Education” on June 25, 2021.
To better understand the Safe Spaces Act of 2019, the event showcased Atty. Ruby Roselle L. Tugade from the Center for International Law (Center Law) and Mr. Fernand Vincent M. Hermoso from the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies.
In her opening remarks, OUS Executive Director Dr. Carmencita L. Castolo recognized the creation of the OUS Center for Gender and Development that promotes the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 among students, faculty members, and staff.
Atty. Tugade in her topic Safe Spaces explained the role of Educational Institutions in promoting Safe Spaces. ” Education Institutions must have enabling mechanisms that simultaneously serve to rehabilitate minor children offenders and to restore the dignity of their victims,” she said. The Spaces Act of 2019 supplements the Anti-Harassment Act of 1995. This law criminalizes any act involving any unwelcome sexual advances, requests, or demands for sexual favors or any act of a sexual nature, whether done verbally, physically, or through the use of technology, that has or could have a detrimental effect on the conditions of an individual’s employment, job performance, or opportunities.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hemoso discussed the Basic Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) and the SOGIESC in Open and Distance Education. According to Mr. Hermoso, SOGIESC is an inclusive term that refers to the characteristics common to everyone. He also enumerates the practices to be considered discriminatory unlawful: (1) Denial of rights to LGBTQ+ community based on their SOGIE; (2) Differential treatment of an employee or anyone engaged to render services; (3) Denial of admission to or expulsion from an educational institution; (4) refusal or revocation of accreditation to any organization due to an individual’s SOGIE; (5) Forcing any person to undertake any medical or psychological examination to alter his SOGIE.
After the event, the organizer conducted a survey that aims to gauge the workplace necessities of the institution towards developing projects and programs, to maintain its safety in any situation. The survey consisted of four (4) parts: the Awareness on Safe Spaces Act of 2019; second, the Knowledge on Safe Spaces Act on all genders; and the Customs and Practices. The webinar and survey were participated by students, employees, and faculty members from the University.
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