The Center for Gender and Development and Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy hosted a GAD forum entitled “Ni Juana ken ti Baro a Pilipinas” in celebration of the 2025 National Women’s Month on March 27, 2025.
Anchored on the 2025 Women’s Month theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the GAD forum featured a panel discussion with distinguished experts from different sectors such as law enforcement, medicine, psychology, and disability affairs. The panel discussion tackled various sectoral gender issues, women’s physical and mental well-being, the status of the province on gender-based violence, and barriers to gender equality.
A State of Women (Estado ni Juana) report based on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was delivered by the Atty. Katrynn Louise Eder, Officer-in-Charge of the Center for Gender and Development, to assess the progress made toward achieving gender equality and status of women in various areas, such as education, health, employment, and political participation.
The moderators guided the discussion ensuring a smooth flow of dialogue between the panel members as well as the audience who raised insightful questions during the panel discussion. The event concluded with a commitment setting where women and men alike vowed to contribute to the empowerment of women. “Juana,” the UNP official advocacy song for the women’s month, was sung.
The GAD Forum provided a space for open dialogue where people, especially women, can speak up about the challenges that they face, discuss gender-related issues without fear of judgment, raise awareness about gender disparities in various sectors, and encourage positive change in laws and policies.
Photo by Noelle Tacas
