The University of Northern Philippines College of Law heightened efforts to promote gender rights and safety as it rolled out a Gender and Development (GAD) Legal Awareness Seminar for students, teachers, and non-teaching staff of San Vicente Integrated School (SVIS) on November 25, 2025 at the school’s PTA Hall.
The seminar highlighted key Philippine laws aimed to advance gender equality and safeguard individual rights. Discussions focused on the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877), the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), and the Data Privacy Act of 2012, providing participants with practical insights on legal protections and responsibilities in everyday life.
Atty. Mirela Verzosa, Assistant Dean of the College of Law, led the seminar with an extensive discussion on the Magna Carta of Women and the Data Privacy Act. She emphasized the legal protections afforded to individuals, the obligations of institutions in upholding gender rights, and the critical need for responsible collection and handling of personal data in schools and workplaces.
Continuing the program, Atty. Meilyne Padua-Unciano delivered an in-depth lecture on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, outlining the forms of misconduct covered by the law and reinforcing the duty of educational institutions to maintain an atmosphere of dignity, respect, and accountability.
Atty. Jamaila Soller concluded the session with a comprehensive explanation of the Safe Spaces Act, illustrating various scenarios of physical, verbal, and online harassment. She also highlighted available remedies and reporting mechanisms to empower participants to identify unlawful behavior and seek appropriate action when necessary.
Participants expressed strong appreciation for the seminar, noting that the speakers successfully translated legal frameworks into relatable, real-life contexts that resonated with both educators and students. Many shared that the discussions enhanced their understanding of rights, responsibilities, and institutional mechanisms designed to safeguard individual welfare—knowledge they deemed valuable in their day-to-day interactions within the school and the wider community.
The initiative, conducted upon the request of San Vicente Integrated School, emphasized the University of Northern Philippines’ continuing commitment to community service, Gender and Development advocacy, and the promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those centered on gender equality, quality education, and the creation of safe and inclusive institutions. By bringing legal education directly to the grassroots level, the program strengthened partnerships between the University and local schools in advancing rights-based awareness.
Article by Haysheryl V. Salamanca
