UGDO Bulletin - Women's Month 2024

From March 1 to April 19, 2024, the university will mark Women’s Month with a series of events and initiatives under the theme, "Investing in Inclusivity: The Power of Women Visionaries, Changemakers, and Disruptors."

In line with the United Nations Women's Month theme, "Invest in women: Accelerate progress," Ateneo de Manila University underscores the crucial importance of investing in the development and empowerment of women leaders. Recognizing women as key figures in various spheres, including governance, academia, business, and activism, the university reaffirms its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all community members can thrive.

The theme emphasizes advancing gender equality and women's empowerment as essential components of societal progress. Ateneo acknowledges the different challenges that women face, from systemic gender discrimination to economic inequality, and aims to address these issues through concrete action and advocacy.

Throughout Women's Month, Ateneo will host a diverse array of events, workshops, and discussions aimed at celebrating the achievements of women and promoting gender equality. These include:

• Panel Discussions: Featuring prominent women leaders and experts across various fields, discussing topics such as women in the Arts, STEM, and gender-responsive governance.
• Workshops and Capacity-Building Sessions: Providing opportunities for women to enhance their leadership skills, negotiate for better opportunities, and navigate challenges in various industries.
• Art Exhibitions and Performances: Showcasing the creative talents of women artists and performers, highlighting their unique perspectives and contributions to the arts and culture.
• Community Outreach and Advocacy Campaigns: Engaging with local communities to raise awareness about gender-based violence, promote women's rights, and support marginalized women and girls.

Ateneo aims to inspire meaningful dialogue, foster greater awareness, and forward positive change toward a more inclusive and equitable society.

Interested parties may contact the organizations, offices, and units directly for more details, as the events may still be updated and finalized. More exciting events may also be added to the calendar!  Please refer to www.ateneo.edu/central/gender/ugdo/bulletins for regular updates
 

Panel Discussions and Fora

The conference on “Technologies for Anticipatory Action: Innovations for Climate and Disaster Resilience” featured a session on Enabling Gender Equality and Social Inclusion through Better Data Systems for CCA-DR with paper presentations on“Enabling Gender Equality and Social Inclusion through Better Data Systems for CCA-DRR” by Dr. Emma Porio (CCAR-PH) and Dr. Melissa Lao (UGDO) and "Generating a Multi-Poverty Index for Women with World Food Program (WFP), DILG-LGA, DSWD" by Mr. Nap Navarro on March 1 from 10:15 - 10:45 at the Arete Loft. For details, please contact CCAR-PH.

A new format for the INTACT module 2 plenary entitled “INTACT Gender Conversations” will feature five topics: Critical Masculinity, Consent and Boundaries, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, Creating Safe Spaces, and the Active Bystander on March 2 and 12 in Leong Hall and Escaler Hall.  Sign-ups are via INTACT classes.

The Senior High School will hold a Safe Space Conversation for Women’s Month on March 8.  This will jointly be sponsored by the student organization Mayari and the Gender Hub.

Also on March 8, the Ateneo Law School (ALS) will hold a panel session and release a statement to commemorate International Women’s Day. The Student Council of the Ateneo Law School will also release an International Women’s Day Statement through their Office of the External Vice President. 

The Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings (ALIWW) offers 2 activities for International Women’s Day (March 8). First, a lecture by Professor Emeritus Soledad S. Reyes “Writing as Labor: A Tale of Two Women Writers Lina Flor (1914-1976) and Rosario de Guzman Lingat (1924-1997)” from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the NGF, De la Costa Hall. Second, the launching of “First Draft: Personal Essays  by Ten Women” from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the 2nd Floor, Special Collections Building, Rizal Library.  The second event is by invite only.  Please contact ALIWW for more details. 

Matanglawin Ateneo will hold “Halimhim: Pagsibol ng Kababaihan sa Pilipinong Pamamahaya”, a forum that aims to talk about the different experiences of women journalists and the role that gender plays in public service. This event will bring in Pia Ranada, Community Lead of Rappler, and Victoria Tulad of ABS-CBN. This forum will be held on 11 March 2024 from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM at Escaler Hall. 

The Department of Theology sponsors the talk “Makinig at Mag Usalp Part 2: Gender and the Catholic Church” on March 13, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Leong Hall.  The speaker for this session is Fr. Bryan Massingale who is the James and Nancy Buckman Professor in Applied Christian Ethics at Fordham University.

A talk on Sexual Reproductive Health sponsored by the Sanggunian Commission on Anti Sexual Misconduct and Violence (CASMV) is scheduled for March 19. Venue and time are TBA.

“Women’s Watch: Theory on the and Practice of Women in Politics” brings together  Former Vice President Leni Robredo, Mindanaoan Mayor Sittie Djalia Hataman, and MP Froilyn Mendoza on 19 March 2024 from 9:30 - 11:00 am at Leong Hall.  This event is sponsored by the Department of Political Science together with the Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect - Philippine Office (APRtoP-PO), the University Gender and Development Office (UGDO), and the Women and Gender Studies Association of the Philippines (WSAP). This forum intends to bring together women who prominently figure in national and local governance as well as movements in the form of praxis sharing combined with scholarly reflections from women political scientists.

The Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) will host a kapihan entitled “Changing the Game: A Kapihan Session with Women in Advocacy & Leadership” on 20 March. Venue and time are TBA.

The Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC) through their Radio Program ‘Baka Naman Pwede?’ on Radyo Katipunan will host episodes featuring women in civil society and advocacy work, women development workers in the government and international field, and women in heritage and conservation. ‘Baka Naman Pwede?’ episodes air every Thursday from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at fb.com/AteneoIPC. 

A Roundtable discussion on discrimination in the context of Organizations will be hosted by the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo-Manila (COA-M) on March 29, 2024.  Venue and time are TBA.

Workshops and Capacity-Building Sessions

The University Research Ethics Office (UREO) in cooperation with the University Gender Hub will hold a Research Seminar on Benefit-Risk Assessment on 20 March from 1:30-3:00 pm at SEC A210.

The CGE will sponsor a Self-defense class.  Venue and Time is TBA.

UGDO and the Gender Focal Point Committee (GFP) will launch the Gender Research Grant for Graduate Students during the 6th Graduate Research Festival on April 19. This activity is online. 

Art Exhibitions and Performances

The Council of Activities (COA) will celebrate the Female Presidents of COA through a Photo journal campaign. This will run through March. COA will also release a statement on International Women’s Day (March 8).

ENTABLADO will hold a Red Brick Road Performance on March 8 to celebrate International Women’s Day.  The time is TBA.

SWAN: Spaces for Women's Art and Narratives will hold a mini art exhibition on Women’s Solidarity from 11 - 20 March.  Venue TBA.

A mini concert on Climate, Gender, Arts, and the Environment will be held on 22 March from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and will be sponsored by CCAR-PH.  Venue, time, and artists will be released soon.

CGE and CASMV will sponsor three art-related events in April: an exhibit and art installation and “Kaagapay sa Pagpatuloy” from 3-5 April and  9-12 April respectively.  CASMV will also offer a film screening and Talkback session on  2 April. Details on these events will be released by the organizers in due course.

The Department of Fine Arts will produce and showcase “Lagnat-Laki: Trilohiya para sa Bayang Walang Pinagkatandaan,” a trilogy of plays including “Blackpink” which showcases a strong and nuanced understanding of SOGIE. The showdates will be from April 3-27, 2024 at the Gonzaga Exhibit Hall. 

Community Outreach and Advocacy Campaigns

A pre-loved innerwear donation drive will be held from 4 March - 12 April for the benefit of the Jeremiah Foundation-Kerygma Family.  This will be sponsored by CGE and CASMV.  

March 4-8 will feature a women-owned businesses and art fair to be sponsored by CASMV. The venue is TBA.

SWAN will hold “Pass a pad: period drive” on the same days, March 4-8.  The venue for this event will be announced soon.

The week of March 11 - 15 will feature CASMV’s Flourish campaign and CGE’s Tambay Week.  Details of both events will be released by the respective Sanggunian Commissions.

The Ateneo Grade School will have a “Wear Purple Day” to promote Child protection and gender-fair treatment during Girl Child Week and Women's Month (18-22 March)

A series of events will be held on women’s reproductive health and HIV and STD awareness on 18-19 and 20-21 March by CASVM, CGE, and external partner organizations including LoveYourself Inc. Details will be released by the 2 Sanggunian Commissions soon.

The University Gender Hub will hold a training event for DepEd Marikina Schools and Division Office Partners on 22 March. 

The Ateneo Law School will hold a Women’s Month Fair/Bazaar from 20 - 22 March at the Rockwell Campus and release a statement on the National Day for Women with Disability (25 March).

The March of Women (MoW) Fun Run will be held on 14 April from 6:00 - 9:30 am on Ateneo campus grounds.  This will include the closing ceremonies for Women’s Month.  Details will be released soon.