Empowering Women: Building a Stronger Community Together
By Lea May N. Caburatan, USTP System STRATCOMM
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March 27, 2024 – Today marks the closing of two impactful exhibits at USTP Cagayan de Oro: #RespetoNaman and #HowInequalityLooksLike. These exhibits were part of the #WecanbeEquALL Information Drive Series of the Philippine Commission for Women—Northern Mindanao. These exhibits served as mirrors, reflecting the challenges that persist and the strides needed to make empowerment more impactful. Let’s take this chance to wrap up Women’s Month by relating to these exhibits, especially in the context of the University.
Demand for Respect & Challenging Norms
The #RespetoNaman exhibit challenges the common misconception that women are abused because of how they dress. It emphasizes the message “Don’t Tell Me How to Dress” and curates the narratives and actual clothes of survivors worn when they were sexually harassed or assaulted.
In Northern Mindanao, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that cases of violence against women increased by 312 cases, or 55.0 percent, in 2022 from the 567 cases in the previous year.
The #RespetoNaman exhibit was a powerful reminder of the need for awareness and better policies. It highlighted the importance of creating a safe environment for all members of the university. It calls for the elimination of blaming women’s appearance and behavior when it comes to violence.
Unmasking Hidden Struggles
The #HowInequalityLooksLike exhibits peeled-back layers of privilege and prejudice. It featured the various stories of the members of the LGBTQ+ community in Cagayan de Oro who have experienced discrimination in schools, offices, public areas, and in their homes.
The exhibit highlights the significance of the passing of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill which aimed to combat discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community. It sheds light on the subtle and not-so-subtle ways inequality manifests and challenges us to examine our biases, question our assumptions, and strive for a more equitable world.
Being a Woman in a University
Whether as a student, a faculty member, or a staff member, being a woman in a university is a unique journey. Even though the times have changed, as more women are heading to college compared to men (PSA, 2023), there are still stereotypes and societal norms that modern women face. Women have to cope with expectations while trying to find their voice in a society that continuously questions their abilities and makes a mark in fields traditionally dominated by men.
The National Women’s Month transcends over as a celebration. It is a reaffirmation of the university’s commitment to women empowerment and gender equality. To champion this, the USTP System, through its Board of Regents, approved its gender equality and sensitivity policy in December 2023. Authored by Dr. Ma. Elena L. Paulma, the former Vice President for Academic Affairs, the new policy aims to set policies and guidelines that promote non-discriminatory and gender-responsive programs that create equal opportunities for university constituents of all gender identities.
Equality is not a checkbox, but rather a dynamic process. As these exhibits close, we hope that the conversation remains. We carry the lessons we have learned and continue to empower for the rights and welfare of not only women but across genders, in our university and beyond.
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