With the long-term theme, “We Make Change Work for Women,” the Women’s Month Celebration was launched in the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) with a seminar series that aims to shed light on relevant Gender and Development (GAD) concepts and initiatives.
The seminar series kicked off on March 2, with the topic Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) 101, which tackled the fundamental nuances and functions of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. This was discussed by Anastacio M. Marasigan Jr., Executive Director of The Library Foundation Sexuality, Health and Rights Educators (TLF SHARE) Collective Incorporated, a non-profit organization engaging government institutions to deliver policy reforms and SOGIE-related programs.
During his lecture, Marasigan emphasized that everyone, regardless of gender and age, has SOGIE as part of their personal identity, which should be accorded with equal respect. He also discussed concrete steps in order to address the pressing issue on gender-based discrimination, particularly common among members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Genderqueer, Queer, Intersexed, Agender, Asexual, and Ally (LGBTQIA+) community.
The second installment of the GAD Seminar Series held on March 9 focused on gender sensitivity in the workplace. Marasigan, who also served as the resource speaker, elaborated how gender biases can manifest in the workplace in forms of gender-based violence, stereotypes, stigma, and unfair treatment of employees on the basis of gender, age, and physical appearance. It was also discussed how subtle forms of gender-based discrimination such as misogynistic words and rape jokes, which are often normalized in everyday conversations, are just as equally harmful to the pursuit of ensuring workplace as a safe and discrimination-free environment.
Finally, Marasigan prompted everyone to constructively call out actions and behaviours that are inappropriate. He also called attention to enact and support initiatives that would promote gender inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.
This annual gender mainstreaming activity is pursuant to Proclamation No. 227 Series of 1988, mandating the observance of the month of March as Women’s Role in History Month with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as lead. The theme “We Make Change Work for Women”, which shall be used from 2017-2022, accentuates the pivotal roles that women play in nation-building and recognizes the need for women empowerment in all societal levels.