UP ISSI GAD Committee attends UP Diliman GAD Assembly on Workplace Violence
The University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI) Gender and Development (GAD) Committee members partook in the UP Diliman GAD Assembly on Safe Spaces and Eliminating Workplace Violence held at the Bocobo Hall, UP Law Center on February 26.
GAD Chair Mx. Jake Villanueva, and members; Mx. Marvin M. Manlapas, and COPE Program Manager Ms. Allysa Anne Mari-De Guzman participated in the event.
Organized by the UP Diliman Office of the Chancellor, the UP Diliman Gender Office (UPDGO), and the UP College of Law, the seminar sought to enhance the knowledge and awareness of the participants on addressing forms of violence in the workplace.
“The event was very informative, especially that the situations shared were real-life cases. This just shows that we need to continue working and creating safe spaces to really close the gender gap,” said Mx. Villanueva.
The resource person Prof. Leo Battad, Faculty member of the UP College of Law and Director of the UP Gender Law and Policy Program provided a comprehensive lecture on legal frameworks addressing gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and sexual harassment.
Prof. Battad’s lecture covered critical topics including Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877), the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), and the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (RA 9262).
Other key points included the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), International Labor Organization Convention CIII (Article 1), and addressing sexist language and behaviors, and the influence of patriarchy on workplace violence.
A focus group discussion followed the lecture in which the participants shared their experiences and addressed various GAD-related issues observed in their workplace.
The event emphasized the importance of not only knowing the legal measures but also fostering a culture of accountability and respect in professional environments. The UPD GAD Assembly reaffirmed the need for ongoing dialogue, education, and policy reinforcement to ensure a safer and more equitable work environment for all.
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Jordana Martirez is a 4th-year Communication student at Far Eastern University with a background in integrated marketing communication and project management. She is currently an Intern at the UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI) under the Training and Entrepreneurship Education Division, where she contributes to the development of marketing collaterals for UP ISSI’s training programs and courses.