SDG5

The Civil Service Commission (CSC), through its training arm, the Civil Service Institute (CSI), held an orientation on Gender and Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) for the representatives of ASEAN Member States on 14 November 2024 via Zoom.  Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, Director of the Office of Gender Concerns and Program Chair of the Diploma in/ Master of Social Work of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), served as one of the resource speakers for the event. Dr. Taylan emphasized key GEDSI concepts such as social inclusion, workplace inclusion, and the impact of unconscious bias during her [...]

The Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) Director, Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan and OGC Project Staff, Dani Mercado participated in the International University Social Responsibility Forum and learning visits held in Kaoshiung, Taiwan on 25-27 September 2024. During the forum, Dr. Taylan moderated the panel session titled "Forwarding Gender-Inclusive Development Through IUSR." This session focused on gender mainstreaming initiatives such as research and gender sensitivity training programs, fostering discussions among panel members on effective strategies and best practices. Dani Mercado discussed the proposed conduct of gender sensitivity programs in the trolley community in Los Banos, Laguna and how this can improve the [...]

On August 29-30, 2024 the Office of Gender Concerns of UPOU participated in the UP System GAD Coordinating Committee Meeting conducted by the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), with the support of the UP Office of the President.  Held at the UPCWGS Conference Room, the event brought together heads and staff from the Gender and Development (GAD) offices and Offices of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH) across the UP constituent universities.   During the 1st day of the GAD Meeting, UPOU Office of Gender Concerns' Project Staff, Dani Mercado and Denise Palisoc presented the accomplishments and plans [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) received confirmation of its membership to the CALABARZON Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) of the Regional Development Council of the Region IV-A during its Second Semester 2024 RGADC Meeting on August 28 via video conference. This membership is a big step forward for UPOU, opening up fresh opportunities to collaborate and expand its impact. The OGC Director, Dr. Finaflor Taylan emphasized  the significance of this new membership during her presentation in the RGADC meeting, highlighting the use of Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) to expand the reach of [...]

On June 28, Kathaang Ugnayan ng Likhain, Talastasan, Obra’t Ulat (KultOU) celebrates  the end of pride month with ZINEtch Itey: Malikhaing Pakikibeki, a virtual discussion on the importance of literature in creating safe spaces and promoting inclusivity for people of diverse SOGIESC. This talk is in partnership with the Office of Gender Concerns (OGC). Dr. Finaflor Taylan, Director of OGC, presented the welcoming remarks, noting that the efforts towards gender inclusivity and diversity awareness should be sustained and promoted. “Ang pride month– celebration siya pero it is also a protest because it started that way,” she says.  The talk featured aProf. [...]

The UP Open University (UPOU) Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) launched the UPOU Pride Month on 5 June 2024 at the UPOU Headquarters. To kick off the campaign, a Pride flag was put around our University’s oblation. This symbolic gesture not only marks the beginning of our celebration but also serves as a visible reminder of our university's unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality for all.  Pride Month is part of UPOU’s advocacy and fight for gender equality and inclusivity through the  UPOU OGC and its Gender Focal Point System. This year's theme f, "Step UP, Speak OUt: Towards Empowerment [...]

Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, the Program Chair of the Diploma in and Master of Social Work of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) and Director of the Office of Gender Concerns of the University of the Philippines-Open University (UPOU) served as a plenary speaker during the 50th founding anniversary and national convention of the Association of Medical Social Workers of the Philippines Inc. (AMSWPI). Held in Manila on May 22, 2024, the event marked AMSWPI’s celebration of its decades of dedicated service as it put together the medical social workers in the Philippines to learn together.  In her talk [...]

The Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) held a Research Conversation on Women and Gender Studies to mark the end of the Women’s Month Celebration on 4 April 2024. This is the second installment of the Gender Equality Matters (GEM) Forum Series and was live-streamed on the OGC Facebook page. This program aims to further shine light on women’s issues and gender equality by providing a platform for the studies conducted by the students and faculty members of UP. The discussion featured four guest speakers, namely :(1) Mx. Ronacel dela Rama, a [...]

The Office of Gender Concerns held a Women’s Month photo contest for its registered students entitled “Babae para sa likas-kaya at inklusibong pag-unlad“  from March 8 to March 25, 2024.  The photo contest is about showcasing empowered women who have broken barriers and surpassed gender stereotypes: the diversity, strength, and achievements women have achieved through all walks of life shown through one photo. The contest was opened to all enrolled UPOU students. The winners of the contest were announced at the end of Research Conversation on Women and Gender Studies, the second installment of the Gender Equality Matters (GEM) forum series [...]