Mindanao State University – General Santos City conducted a “Conversation on GAD Mainstreaming in the Academe” in celebration of the 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC), hosted by the Gender and Development Office and Center for Women Studies (CWS), Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM), and International Affairs Office at the Regional Science Research Center (RSRC) last March 28, 2023,
Dr. Diane Mae P. Ulanday-Lozano, CWS Directress, officially opened the conversation with an appreciation to the attendees, representing different university stakeholders. As MSU-GenSan envisions itself as the National Peace University, she emphasized how these conversations will lead to the integration of Gender and Development (GAD) into the peace efforts of the University. She also encouraged everyone to take part in realizing GAD in the campus. “Help us as we develop MSU-GenSan to be a more gender-responsive and gender-inclusive academic community,” she remarked.
Dr. Mario J. Aguja, the OIC Director of IPDM, served as the resource speaker on the topic of gender mainstreaming, including the strategies on how to do so. On mechanisms, he presented the following: (1) the Development of a Mainstreaming Plan, (2) the Conduct of a Gender Analysis, (3) the Creation of Gender Competencies, (4) the Integration of Gender Policies, Programs, and Practices, and (5) Monitoring and Evaluation of Gender Mainstreaming. Addressing the challenge of sharing the knowledge of gender equality to all ages and sectors, he proposed an intergenerational purposive program and a conversation with religious institutions. He also emphasized the integration of gender lenses into the curriculum such as the use of gender-fair language and gender studies on research and extension.
Dr. Jovanie C. Espesor, the GAD Focal Point System Representative of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, presented the Sex and Gender Disaggregated Data of the University that contains 2,527 responses from the employees and students. The statistics included ethnic affiliations, religious affiliation, sex, economic status, health status, gender identity, and others. The data were kept anonymous for privacy and will be utilized to craft appropriate programs, projects, and activities, supporting the GAD mainstreaming advocacy.
An open forum and panel discussion commenced after the lecture that highlighted the ways forward for GAD in the University. Prof. Rhumer Lañojan, Director of the Office of the Students Affairs and Services, raised points for discussions related to students’ gender identity and expression on campus. Additionally, Atty. Hanna-Tunisia F. Usman, the University Legal Officer, informed the attendees that the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CoDI) was established to cater to the best interest of University constituents, especially the students on matters of investigations. Atty. Usman also expressed the commitment of the University to crafting the policy manual for CoDI. Moreover, the University Guidance Counselor, Hania-Persia F. Usman emphasized that their office is open and a safe space for students to raise their concerns. Valuable inputs were also shared by Prof. Aguja, Prof. Espesor, and Prof. Beverly Garcia, OIA Directress, who served as panelists.
The conversation was also attended by Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, Ms. Nurleila G. Canacan, who emphasized the unwavering support of the administration to GAD in the academe, University Press and Communications Office Director, Mr. Monlouie M. Sorzano, who moderated the conversation, college deans, GFPS members and student ambassadors, and GAD advocates coming from the faculty and staff force.
