Gender and Development Program

As a major vehicle of social transformation, the academe has always been confronted with constant reforms in the educational system in order to meet the demands of the time. The educational system, being the venue and forum of different social issues and concerns cannot ignore the vital role it plays in ensuring and uplifting human dignity.

Responsive to the global outburst of sex discrimination and violence inflicted against women, the government launched a massive campaign against sexism and gender biases and placed Dep Ed as a focal point for this crusade.

Anchored on the belief that human life is the greatest gift available to all and should be lived with quality for both men and women, the Department of Education committed itself to conduct series of activities for the development of gender sensitivity and Gender And Development Program (GAD) integration in the curriculum.

GAD approach is not concerned specifically wit women but with the way in which a society assigns roles, responsibilities and expectations to both women and men. GAD applies gender analysis to uncover the ways in which men and women work together, presenting results in neutral terms of economics and efficiency.

The following law supports Gender And Development Program:

1. Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti- Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004)
2. Republic Act No. 7610 (Anti Child Abuse Law)

Republic Act No. 9262, known as the “Anti Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004,” defines violence against women  as any at or series of acts committed against wives, former wives, or women in any form of intimate relationship with the perpetrator, which results in or is likely to result in physical sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse. It considers these acts of violence a public offense, and provides for protective measures and other necessary relief for the survivor victims. The Republic Act  also recognizes “battered woman syndrome” as a defense, and those found to be suffering form it do not incur any civil and criminal liability, notwithstanding the absence of any of the elements for justifying circumstances of self-defense. Furthermore, the Act establishes an Inter- Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children, tasked to formulate programs to eliminate such acts of violence, as well as to develop capability programs for their employees to become more sensitive to their clients needs.

Republic Act No. 7610 was approved on June 17, 1992 for the purpose of protecting children against all forms of abuse, exploitation, and discrimination, given their unique standing in society. It is written in this law that the state should create sanctions to deter violations against children such as trafficking, child prostitution and other forms of sexual abuse, a discrimination against children from indigenous communities. Children should also be protected from maltreatment through special provisions in cases of child employment. In areas of armed conflict, children serving as combatants are sanctioned separately from adults, and civilian children are given several protection to ensure their safety and non-participation in the conflict. In essence, RA 7610 allows children to enjoy their rights protected from any abuse or prejudice which may threaten their development.

Gender and Development Program has advocacy that helps and protects not just women but also the dignity of humanity. These advocacies are:

1. No to Stereotyping,
2. No to Discrimination, and
3. Yes to Equality.

No to Stereotyping

Gender stereotyping is a common phenomenon in modern society. The presence of this menace is apparent in every sphere of development, including the education system. Often, gender stereotyping manifests in schools in the manner in which knowledge is imparted. For instance, boys may be made to believe they occupy a higher pedestal, while girls are a notch less equal. The bias instilled in schools can follow both genders into the world at large, hence widening the window for gender stereotypes among future generations.

No to Discrimination

What is Discrimination / Gender Discrimination?

Discrimination is the prejudicial or distinguishing treatment of an individual based on his or her membership - or perceived membership - in a certain group or category. It involves the group's initial reaction or interaction, influencing the individual's actual behavior towards the group or the group leader, restricting members of one group from opportunities or privileges that are available to another group, leading to the exclusion of the individual or entities based on logical or irrational decision making.

Though gender discrimination and sexism refers to beliefs and attitudes in relation to the gender of a person, such beliefs and attitudes are of a social nature and do not, normally, carry any legal consequences. Sex discrimination, on the other hand, may have legal consequences.

Though what constitutes sex discrimination varies between countries, the essence is that it is an adverse action taken by one person against another person that would not have occurred had the person been of another sex. Discrimination of that nature is considered a form of prejudice and in certain enumerated circumstances is illegal in many countries.

Sexual discrimination can arise in different contexts. For instance an employee may be discriminated against by being asked discriminatory questions during a job interview, or by an employer not hiring or promoting, unequally paying, or wrongfully terminating, an employee based on her (or his) gender.

Yes to Equality

What is Gender Equality?

Gender equality, also known as sex equality, is the goal of the equality of the genders, stemming from a belief in the injustice of myriad forms of gender inequality. This goal includes making women's rights equal to men's and also making men's rights equal to women's.

World bodies have defined gender equality in terms of human rights, especially women's rights, and economic development. UNICEF describes that gender equality "means that women and men, and girls and boys, enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities and protections. It does not require that girls and boys, or women and men, be the same, or that they be treated exactly alike."

“Equality is not a luxury, it is a requirement.”

Mrs. Luvimi Latosa

Gender and Development Program (GAD-P) Coordinator
Teacher – I Social Studies Department
Capiz National High School

Researchers:
Ma. Lieca Grace Cabinbin IV - SOF
Johanna Adremesin III - Aguinaldo
Ma. Rhaiesa Adam III - SOF

Approved:
Mrs. Luvimi Latosa
GAD-P Coordinator