Understanding Gender Development Policies in Higher Education
School
Isabela State University**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
CAS LM 213
Subject
Sociology
Date
Dec 10, 2024
Pages
11
Uploaded by HighnessWombatMaster860
Lesson 1: Legal Basis for the study of Gender andSociety1. CHED Memorandum Order 1 Series of 2015What is the CHED Memorandum Order 1 Series of 2015?The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 1 series of 2015 or Establishing the Policies and Guidelines on GAD in the CHED and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) specifies the oversight and monitoring functions of CHED to recognize and assess GRCs among HEIs withexpertise in GAD.CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 1, Series of 2015, establishes policies and guidelines on gender and development (GAD) in higher education institutions (HEIs). Key points include:a)Creation of Committees: The CMO mandates the establishment of Committees on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) within HEIs to address gender-related concerns and promote a conducive environment for all stakeholders [1].b)Composition of CODI: CODI must comprise at least one representative from various sectors within the HEI to ensure comprehensive representation and expertise in GAD matters.c)Implementation: HEIs are required to implement the policies outlinedin CMO No. 1, Series of 2015, to foster gender equality and inclusivity within their institutions.d)Date of Issuance: The memorandum was issued on August 10, 2015, by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).2. CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of all Forms ofDiscrimination Against Women(International Bill of Rights of Women)What is the CEDAW?Known as the International Bill of Rights of Women, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations in 1979 and took effect on 3 September 1981. The Philippines signed the CEDAW on 15 July 1980 and ratified it on 5
August 1981, the first ASEAN country to do so. As of May 2015, the Convention has been ratified by 189 states.The Philippines also ratified the Optional Protocolto the CEDAW on November 12, 2003, which established two mechanisms that enable women to seek redress for violations of CEDAW through the communication procedure and the inquiry procedure.The CEDAW is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations. It affirms women’s rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality of their children.The Convention defines discrimination against women as “any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men andwomen, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other fields.”The CEDAW Convention is built on three foundational principles: non-discrimination, state obligation and substantive equality.Non-discrimination is integral to the concept of equality. The Convention seeks to eliminate discrimination against women in all fields and spheres, and holds both state and non-state actors in the case of violation of rights.State obligation embodies the elements, that is, respect, protection, promotion, and fulfillment of human rights.It also upholds the conceptof due diligence which demands ensuring the prevention, investigation,and sanctioning of private acts of discrimination.The legislature, executive and judiciary organs of government are responsible for the fulfillment of all state obligations.Substantive equality acknowledges as products of negative female stereotypes, and consequently seeks to eliminate discrimination at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels through corrective and positive measures including enabling conditions and affirmative actions.It seeks to correct imbalance and focuses on achieving “equality of outcomes” by ensuring equal opportunities, access and benefits for women.
3. Article II, Section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution Section 14Article 2 of the Constitutionprovides that, "The state recognizes the role of women in nation building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.” Certain diseases, disorders and conditions are peculiar to, more serious, or more prevalent in women.Article II, Section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution stipulates:a)Recognition of Women's Role: The State acknowledges the significance of women in nation-building.b)Ensuring Gender Equality: It commits to ensuring fundamental equality before the law for both women and men.c)Protection of Working Women: The State pledges to safeguard working women by providing safe and healthy working conditions, considering their maternal functions.These provisions underscore the constitutional commitment to gender equality and the recognition of women's vital contributions to society.4. Republic Act No. 7192 - The Women in Development and Nation Building Act Republic Act No. 7192 was enacted on February 12, 1992, to integrate women as equal partners in development and nation-building. The act mandates government agencies to implement measures eliminating gender bias in policies and projects. RA 7192 emphasizes gender equality in development efforts.Key points about RA 7192 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) include:Title and Declaration of Policy: The act is titled "Women in Development and Nation Building Act," recognizing women's pivotal role. The State acknowledges women's contribution to development.
Guidance and Measures: RA 7192 guides and enhances women's participation in development processes, ensuring equality with men.Implementation: Government agencies are directed to enact policies promoting gender equality.In summary, RA 7192 promotes gender equality in national development, recognizing women as essential contributors.5. RA 9710-Magna Carta for Women (2009)The Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710) enacted in 2009 in the Philippines aims to promote women's empowerment and ensure gender equality. Here's a concise overview:1.Purpose: RA 9710 seeks to eliminate discrimination against women byrecognizing, protecting, fulfilling, and promoting their rights.2.Scope: It's a comprehensive women's human rights law covering various aspects of women's lives.3.Key Provisions: Includes provisions for equal opportunities, access to resources, development, and special leave benefits for women.4.Significance: RA 9710 is crucial for promoting women's rights, enhancing their participation in the economy, and fostering gender equality.5.Legal Framework: It establishes the legal obligation of the Philippine government to protect and promote women's human rights.Overall, RA 9710 plays a pivotal role in advancing women's rights and genderequality in the Philippines.LESSON 2: Understanding Gender Constructs: Examining the social, cultural, and historical factors influencing gender roles and identities.1.Introduction to Gender Constructs
Definition of gender constructsGender constructs refer to the societal norms, roles, behaviors, and expectations that are associated with a particular gender within a given culture or society. These constructs shape how individuals perceive themselves and others in relation to gender identity. Here's a breakdown:Social Norms and Expectations: Gender constructs dictate what is considered appropriate or typical behavior for individuals based on their perceived gender. For example, notions of masculinity and femininity often influence how people are expected to express themselves, dress, or engage in certain activities.Roles and Behaviors: Gender constructs prescribe specific roles and behaviors for individuals based on their gender identity. These roles can include expectations regarding family responsibilities, career choices, and social interactions. For instance, traditional gender constructs may dictate that men are expected to be assertive and career-focused, while women are expected to be nurturing and caretaking.Cultural Influences: Gender constructs are deeply embedded within cultural beliefs and practices, varying across different societies and historical contexts. Cultural norms shape perceptions of gender and influence how individuals are socialized into their gender roles.Fluidity and Intersectionality: Gender constructs are not static; they can change over time and are influenced by factors such as race, class, sexuality, and ethnicity. Understanding gender constructs requires recognizing the complexities of intersectionality and how different identities intersect to shape individuals' experiences.Critical Analysis: Studying gender constructs involves critically examining the underlying power dynamics and inequalities that perpetuate gender norms. It entails questioning and challenging
societal assumptions about gender to promote greater understanding and equality.In essence, gender constructs are complex systems of beliefs and expectations that shape how individuals perceive and experience gender within society. Understanding these constructs is essential for promoting inclusivity and challenging gender-based discrimination and stereotypes.Lesson 3: Action Plans to Counter Gender Discrimination and AbuseTo effectively address gender discrimination and abuse, proactive action plans must be implemented. Here are some strategies:1.Education and Awareness: Promote gender equality through educational programs, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness about the harmful effects of discrimination and abuse.Education and awareness initiatives play a crucial role in promoting gender equality by addressing the harmful effects of discrimination andabuse. Here's a further explanation:a.Educational Programs: These are structured initiatives conducted in schools, universities, workplaces, and communities to educate individuals about gender equality, stereotypes, and the importance of respect and inclusivity. These programs often include curriculum development, training sessions, and workshops tailored to various age groups and settings.b.Workshops: Workshops provide interactive platforms where participants engage in discussions, activities, and exercises aimed at deepening their understanding of gender issues. Topics may include unconscious bias, gender stereotypes, power dynamics, and strategies for fostering inclusivity. Workshops often facilitate open dialogue, allowing participants to share experiences and perspectives.c.Campaigns: Campaigns are broader awareness-raising efforts conducted through various media channels, including social media, television, radio, and print. They utilize messaging, visuals, and storytelling to highlight the detrimental impact of discrimination and abuse on individuals and society as a whole.
Campaigns often target diverse audiences and aim to spark conversations, challenge societal norms, and mobilize collective action for change.By combining these approaches, educational programs, workshops, and campaigns create multifaceted strategies to promote gender equality, empower individuals to recognize and challenge discrimination and abuse, and foster a culture of respect, dignity, and inclusivity for all genders.2.Policy Development: Enact and enforce laws and policies that protect against gender discrimination and abuse in all spheres of life, including the workplace, education, and public spaces.Policy development in this context involves the creation and implementation of laws and regulations aimed at preventing and addressing gender discrimination and abuse across various domains. Here's a deeper explanation:a.Enactment of Laws: Governments pass legislation to establish legal frameworks that explicitly prohibit gender discrimination and abuse. These laws outline the rights of individuals and the responsibilities of institutions to ensure gender equality. Examples include laws against workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and gender-based violence.b.Policy Enforcement: Once laws are enacted, government agencies and relevant authorities enforce them through regulatory measures and oversight mechanisms. This includes conducting investigations, imposing penalties for violations, and providing support to victims of gender-based discrimination and abuse.c.Protection in All Spheres: Policies extend protection against gender discrimination and abuse to various aspects of life, including the workplace, education, and public spaces. They address issues such as equal pay, access to education, representation in leadership positions, and safety in public environments.d.Comprehensive Approach: Effective policy development takes a comprehensive approach, considering the intersectionality of gender with other forms of discrimination and inequality. It involves consultation with stakeholders, including civil society
organizations, experts, and affected communities, to ensure that policies are inclusive and responsive to diverse needs.By enacting and enforcing laws and policies that protect against gender discrimination and abuse across all spheres of life, societies canpromote equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals, irrespective ofgender.3.Capacity Building: Provide training and resources to empower individuals, organizations, and communities to recognize and challengegender-based discrimination and abuse.Capacity building in the context of addressing gender-based discrimination and abuse involves equipping individuals, organizations,and communities with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively recognize and challenge such issues. Here's a more detailed explanation:a.Training Programs: Develop and implement training programs tailored to different target groups, including community members, educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, and policymakers. These programs should cover topics such as gender equality, human rights, bystander intervention, and the identification and reporting of gender-based discrimination and abuse.b.Awareness Workshops: Organize workshops and seminars to raise awareness about the root causes and consequences of gender-based discrimination and abuse. These sessions can include discussions, case studies, and interactive activities to facilitate learning and promote critical thinking.c.Resource Provision: Offer resources such as educational materials, toolkits, manuals, and guidelines to support individuals and organizations in their efforts to address gender-based discrimination and abuse. These resources should provide practical information, best practices, and strategies for intervention and advocacy.d.Skill Building: Provide opportunities for skill development in areas such as communication, conflict resolution, advocacy, and community organizing. Empowering individuals with these skills enables them to effectively advocate for gender equality,
challenge discriminatory practices, and support survivors of abuse.e.Partnership and Collaboration: Foster partnerships and collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, and community-based organizations to maximize the impact of capacity-building initiatives. By working together, stakeholders can leverage their strengths and resources to create sustainable change.Through comprehensive capacity-building efforts, individuals, organizations, and communities can become better equipped to recognize, address, and ultimately prevent gender-based discrimination and abuse.4.Promotion of Gender Equality: Advocate for equal representation and opportunities for all genders in leadership roles, decision-making processes, and economic activities.a.Leadership Roles: Encourage equal participation of all genders in leadership positions within organizations, governments, and communities. This includes promoting diversity and inclusivity in decision-making bodies to ensure a balanced representation that reflects the demographics of society.b.Decision-Making Processes: Advocate for the involvement of diverse perspectives in decision-making processes. This can be achieved by ensuring that decision-making bodies comprise individuals from different genders and backgrounds. By incorporating diverse viewpoints, more comprehensive and inclusive decisions can be made.c.Economic Activities: Strive for equal opportunities for all genders in economic activities, including employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in the workforce. This involves addressing systemic barriers and biases that hinder the full participation and advancement of individuals based on their gender.Advocating for equal representation and opportunities in leadership roles, decision-making processes, and economic activities is crucial for achieving gender equality and empowering individuals of all genders tocontribute meaningfully to society.
5.Support Services: Establish support systems and services, including hotlines, shelters, and counseling, to assist victims of gender-based discrimination and abuse.Establishing support services involves creating a network of resources to aid victims of gender-based discrimination and abuse:a.Hotlines: Implement dedicated phone lines staffed by trained professionals to provide immediate assistance, guidance, and support to individuals experiencing gender-based discrimination and abuse.b.Shelters: Establish safe havens or shelters where victims can seek refuge from abusive situations. These shelters offer temporary housing, protection, and support services to survivors of gender-based violence, ensuring their safety and well-being.c.Counseling: Provide access to professional counseling services to help survivors cope with the trauma and psychological effects of gender-based discrimination and abuse. Counseling sessions offer emotional support, guidance, and strategies for healing andempowerment.By offering a comprehensive range of support services, including hotlines,shelters, and counseling, victims of gender-based discrimination and abuse can receive the assistance they need to navigate through challenging circumstances and rebuild their lives.6.Community Engagement: Engage communities in dialogues and initiatives to challenge harmful gender norms, stereotypes, and attitudes that perpetuate discrimination and abuse.Community engagement refers to the active involvement of community members in decision-making processes, problem-solving, and initiatives that affect their lives. Here's a breakdown:a.Types of Engagement: Community engagement encompasses various forms, including consultation, collaboration, and empowerment, where individuals, groups, and organizations work together to address issues and improve community well-being.b.Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Engaging the community is crucial in combating gender-based violence (GBV). Through awareness campaigns, training sessions, and support services, communities can work collectively to prevent GBV, supportsurvivors, and challenge harmful social norms.
c.Promoting Gender Equality: Community engagement plays a vital role in promoting gender equality by fostering dialogue, advocating for policy changes, and empowering marginalized groups. This involvement helps create inclusive environments free from discrimination, abuse, and harassment.d.Building Trust and Social Cohesion: Effective community engagement builds trust among members and strengthens social cohesion. By involving diverse voices and fostering collaboration, communities can address challenges collectively and promote positive change.Through community engagement, individuals and groups can work together to address complex issues, foster inclusivity, and create supportive environments that benefit everyone.Implementing these action plans requires collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals to create a more inclusive and equitable society.