CHED Central Luzon Regional Office III celebrates Gender and Development (GAD) in South East Asia
The CHED Central Luzon Regional Office III (CHED CL RO-III) conducted the Conference on Gender and Development (GAD) in South East Asia with the theme “ASEAN Women: Addressing Challenges Together” on October 28, 2022, at Widus Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.
CHED CL RO-III Regional Director, Dr. Leonida B. Sigua-Calagui, warmly welcomed the participants and she highlighted the importance of gender in development and the role of women in higher education in an ASEAN context.
The Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Mr. Agus Widjojo was invited to talk about women and development in Indonesia. Ambassador Widjojo shared the challenges and opportunities in promoting gender equality and women empowerment in Indonesia which includes religious conservatism, patriarchal culture and lack of awareness and education on Violence Against Women (VAW). He cited also opportunities like stronger feminist movement in Indonesia, resilience of human rights and democracy movement and innovative and digital approach to provide information regarding feminism and gender based violence service providers.
Atty. Antonino B. Roman III, Board Member of the 1st District of Bataan was also one of the resource speaker. Atty. Roman discussed the different laws related to women’s rights and emphasized that “In order to close the [gender] gap, constant collaboration and consultation among school administration, civil society organizations, local and national legislators, and government agencies is a must.”
Other highlights of the conference include the spectacular ASEAN cultural performance of the First City Providential Baliktanaw Dance Troupe and the Central Luzon State University Maestro Singers.
Winners of the 2022 CHED CL RO-III ASEANWave Webxhibition were also announced during the event. Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) both was the winner in the song and poetry category.
In conclusion, the CHED CL RO-III Chief Education Program Specialist, Ms. Lora L. Yusi, extended her sincerest gratitude to everyone. She ended by saying that “We dare to dream, we care to share that’s the ASEAN way, CHEDRO III’s way and the way of HEIs in Region III”.
