On 20 June 2025, the UP Open University (UPOU) Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) spearheaded a Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) for the university’s newly appointed Gender and Development Officers (GDOs). Held at the AR Cafeteria of the UPOU Academic Residences, the training aimed to equip GDOs with updated knowledge and skills to effectively promote gender equity and inclusion, and to strengthen their role as advocates and implementers of gender-responsive programs in UPOU.

The training featured gender experts from the UPOU faculty who served as resource persons throughout the day. The morning session began with a talk by Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) and former OGC Director. She provided an orientation on gender sensitivity, covering fundamental concepts such as sex and gender, as well as the socio-cultural factors that influence gender roles.

Following this, Asst. Prof. Roda L. Tajon delivered a session on core gender concepts, with a focus on the importance of understanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in fostering inclusive environments.

In the afternoon, OGC Director Dr. Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe offered a deeper dive into Gender and Development (GAD), tracing its historical roots from women-centered approaches to the broader, more inclusive GAD framework. Her talk highlighted how GAD has evolved as a development perspective that promotes equity, participation, and sustainability.

To cap off the training, the GDOs participated in a workshop focused on enhancing the draft of UPOU’s Policy on Advancing Non-Discrimination, Tolerance, Accessibility, and Yes to Equality (PANTAY). This policy outlines the institutional guidelines for gender mainstreaming across the university.

This GST is also part of OGC’s ongoing efforts to advance UPOU’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, reaffirming the university’s role in creating a safe and gender-responsive academic environment.

Written by Xandra Marie G. Villareal | Edited by Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe, Anna Cañas-Llamas