The University of Baguio aims to foster an inclusive community where everyone from all walks of life has access to quality education and work opportunities. In support of this, UB held a Gender and Development (GAD) seminar-workshop for the university employees last March 21 and 22, 2025. This initiative was spearheaded by the Human Resource Management Center (HRMC) and aimed to explore relevant gender-related issues, policies, and legal frameworks to ensure that the UB community is well-informed and equipped to promote gender sensitivity and equality in the workplace.
The esteemed speaker for the event was Atty. Noreen Bragas, an experienced lawyer well-versed in current legislation regarding gender equality and women’s rights. Her legal expertise provided critical insights into the evolving landscape of gender-related policies, expounding on the provisions and applications of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262) as well as the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) and discussing their applications in the workplace.
Her engaging discussion allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of how to properly uphold gender equality in the workplace. She emphasized the importance of building strong support systems that can help women, children, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to assert their rights and fight against discrimination and harassment. Legal reinforcement serves as the last line of defense, ensuring that if issues continue to persist in the workplace or outside of it, perpetrators can be stopped in a court of law and held accountable.
This event is one of many initiatives that the University of Baguio pushes to empower and equip the members of the community with critical knowledge to uphold their rights. Gender and Development is just one area where UB actively makes an effort to promote inclusivity, respect, and equality; as it continues to foster a community where people of all genders are accepted, it continues to play an active role in the journey to build a more egalitarian society.
