The Gender Focal Point System (GFPS), chaired by UP Open University (UPOU) Chancellor Joane V. Serrano convened for its annual meeting on 23 May 2025. Held at the UPOU Audio-Visual Room (AVR) at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, the event gathered more than 45 participants, including university officials, staff, and gender advocates.

Chancellor Serrano warmly welcomed the attendees and delivered a speech highlighting her vision for a transformative university. She emphasized that for UPOU to become a truly Gender Transformative and Inclusive University, it must embrace a gender-responsive education framework grounded in equality, inclusivity, and accessibility. She further emphasized the need to embed a gender-inclusive mindset into institutional policies and practices, urging deeper collaboration and partnership among the various units of UPOU.

Following the Chancellor’s address, OGC Director Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe presented key accomplishments from the previous year’s Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives. Notable achievements included the effective utilization of the allocated GAD budget, the initiation of digital platforms to address gender concerns, and the enhancement of campus facilities to ensure accessibility and inclusivity. Director Jarabe also outlined the 2025 GAD initiatives, with a focus on advancing gender equality and promoting inclusive leadership across the university.

True to its mandate, the GFPS engaged in a productive discussion on various GAD initiatives aimed at streamlining and strengthening future actions. A significant agenda item was the appointment of Gender Development Officers (GDOs) for each unit. These officers will play a crucial role in supporting the GFPS to effectively implement and monitor GAD functions throughout the university.

The annual GFPS meeting reaffirmed UPOU’s commitment to fostering a gender-responsive and inclusive academic community, paving the way for meaningful progress in gender equality and transformative education.

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