UPLB marks Reading Month through book giving, gender sensitivity orientation
University of the Philippines Los Baños
27 Nov 2024 by Sairah Mae R. Saipudin and Jullie-Ann C. Reyes
To mark November as Reading Month, the UPLB Gender Center held the Gender Sensitivity Orientation and Book-Giving for Grade 7 students of the UP Rural High School (UPRHS) on November 13, 2024.
The event aimed to promote awareness of gender equality and celebrate the contributions of Filipina role models through the book “BABAE! 18 Fierce and Fearless Filipinas.”
The program opened with a message from Oliver Ocampo, UPRHS faculty member and officer-in-charge, who highlighted the importance of fostering inclusivity and gender awareness among the youth. Ocampo is a member of UPLB Men Opposed to Violence Against Women or UPLB MOVE KATROPA.
Jullie-Ann C. Reyes, a researcher at the UPLB Gender Center, then gave the students an engaging orientation lecture on gender sensitivity. She encouraged them to challenge stereotypes and adopt a mindset of respect and equality in their daily interactions.
Sairah Mae R. Saipudin, also a researcher at the UPLB Gender Center, introduced the book, which showcases the lives of Filipina trailblazers who broke barriers and made significant contributions in various fields.
The book, which was provided by the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS), showcases empowering stories of women representation and resilience.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of the books to the students, which aimed to symbolize the beginning of the students’ journey of reflection on contributing to a diverse and inclusive society.
The event concluded with an inspiring message from Roselle V. Collado, director of the UPLB Gender Center, who urged the students to carry forward the lessons of the day as they continue to grow into empowered individuals.
Collado challenged them to write a short narrative or reaction paper on their reflections on the significant contributions of the 18 women in the book to the country’s development.
The activity not only celebrated the power of reading but also reinforced the values of respect, equality, and representation.
