GAD leaders, practitioners, advocates paint color in BukSU for WSAP annual international conference

BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY (BukSU)- The 2023 Women’s and Gender Studies Association of the Philippines (WSAP) International Conference commenced on November 22, 2023 in the heart of the province of Bukidnon, Malaybalay City, organized by WSAP and co-organized by BukSU, Philippine Women University (PWU), and Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP).

Leaders, practitioners and advocates in the turf of Gender and Development fill the University today and for the next two days of the WSAP annual international conference with the theme: “Feminist Strategies for Gender Equitable, Inclusive, and Sustainable Global Futures: Challenges, Responses, Possibilities”.

This year, the WSAP International Conference acknowledges the valuable contributions made by feminists, advocates, and scholars of women’s and gender studies toward developing and advancing gender equality, inclusivity, and sustainability at all levels of society. These efforts are geared towards understanding and addressing the root causes of gender inequality within and between individuals, learning and educational institutions,  organizations, and communities to attain gender and social justice, achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), address these thematic areas of interest: 1) Political Participation and Governance; 2) Women’s Economic Empowerment; 3) Women, Peace, and Security: 4) Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, and 5) Eliminating Gender-Based Violence.

Dr. Excelsa C. Tongson, WSAP President, in her welcome remarks emphasized that the gathering is more than an assembly of minds; it is a collaborative endeavor to forge strategies that can shape policies, influence communities, and foster change on a national and global scale.

SMART BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol inspired the participants that this WSAP Conference is relevant as ideas will transcend borders and influence thinkers around the globe. Dr. Mirasol added that the scholarly work will transcend into numerous languages contributing to  a global discourse on gender equality and inspiring researchers in various cultural context to rationalize gender and development in the research landscape.

CHED Commissioner and BukSU’s Board of Regents Chairperson Jo Mark M. Libre, gave a special message for the participants that they can overcome the challenges in facing gender and development issues. It is in the conference that the strategies will focus on justice and equality considering the status quo of the country though inclusive approaches have been implemented through policies in higher education. Commissioner Libre also encouraged the delegates to create steps as responses from the problems surfacing gender and development issues.

UP Diliman College of Social Work and Community Development Professor Emeritus Dr. Amaryllis Tiglao Torres provided a keynote message to the participants of the conference main theme. Dr. Tiglao cited and presented studies and framework where gender studies have played key roles in attaining the sustainable development goals. Dr. Tiglao’s keynote speech capped with a framework on reimagining women identities to foster a healthy environment for all.

Another keynote address was given by CHED Commissioner Aldrin A. Darilag highlighting the challenge among educators on the integration of gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity strategies which remained a global pressing issue. Commissioner Darilag provided responses on these issues of which instruction, research, and Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (GEDI) Workshop can explore into.

The conference delegates will participate to different plenary sessions on: (a) gender, law, and religion, (b) indigenous worldviews, and (c) voices of young feminists. WSAP has also laid out trainings on Participatory Action Research (PAR) for Community Impact, Mentoring for Young Feminists, and Forum on LGBTQIA+. On the last day of the conference, participants will be immersed to the culture of Bukidnon facilitated by BukSU. (Information Unit)