The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) hosted the Forum on Comprehensive Sexual Education and Menstrual Health on 28 March 2025 at the UPCWGS Conference Room. The event brought together advocates, educators, students, and policymakers for an insightful discussion on the vital role of menstrual health in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). Speakers were Djoanna “Joie” Cortina of Lunas Collective, Dr. Via R. Gablan of FriendlyCare Clinic, Leigh Carcel of Ecoflo, and Jasmine T. Cruz of the UPCWGS who talked about key issues, including the stigma surrounding menstruation, the need for policy integration, and sustainable menstrual hygiene practices.
(Foreground, from left to right) Djoanna “Joie” Cortina, Dr. Via R. Gablan, Jasmine T. Cruz, and Leigh Carcel with the UPCWGS staff and participants of the Forum on Comprehensive Sexual Education and Menstrual Health on March 28
UPCWGS staff with visitors from Nihon Fukushi University and Kwansei Gakuin University on March 25
Fourteen Japanese students from Nihon Fukushi University and Kwansei Gakuin University specializing in social work visited the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) on 25 March 2025 to learn more about its services, programs, and advocacy work. Organized by the non-governmental organization The O Home, a collective of artists, researchers, and mothers based in Quezon City and Makati, the purpose of the study tour is to gain a deeper understanding of Philippine society through the valuable work carried out by government and non-governmental organizations in the country. The students were accompanied by their professors Joe Takeda and Masaki Soeta.
Gina Rose L. Chan of the UPCWGS with visitors from Nihon Fukushi University and Kwansei Gakuin University on March 25
Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is an essential aspect of ensuring that individuals, especially the youth, are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) will hold a series of events on this theme:
Forum on Comprehensive Sexual Education and Menstrual Health 28 March 2025 (Friday), 9:00 AM – 12:00 NN UPCWGS Conference Room Register here.
CSE plays a crucial role in equipping individuals with knowledge about reproductive health, gender equality, and bodily autonomy. One key aspect of CSE is menstrual health, an often-overlooked topic that significantly impacts the well-being, education, and empowerment of individuals who menstruate. Despite advancements in awareness, stigma, misinformation, and inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products persist. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach through education, policy, and community support.
Championing Rights: Why Comprehensive Sexuality Education Is a Must 8 April 2025 (Tuesday), 2:00-4:00 PM UPCWGS Conference Room Register here.
This is an event where a panel of speakers will answer the question: Why should we support CSE? They will share their experiences and knowledge about working with youth communities regarding adolescent reproductive health and rights.
Disinformation has become a major barrier to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy, particularly in efforts to prevent adolescent pregnancies, which rose by 35% in 2022 with 3,135 documented cases compared to 2,320 in 2021. To address this, experts in gender studies and family development will share insights on the importance of CSE, the social and economic consequences of rising teenage pregnancies, and how social media can be harnessed to combat disinformation and strengthen public support for SRHR initiatives.
As part of its Women’s Month celebration, the Kalinga Day Care Center (KDCC) of the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in collaboration with the UP Office of Athletics and and Sports Development (OASD), held the Footbulilit – a football clinic for the KDCC kids with the UP Women’s Football Team – on 24 March 2025 at the UP Sunken Garden. The activity aims to introduce kids to sports for physical fitness, mental health and emotional well-being, social skills and teamwork, and development of life skills.
KDCC staff, kids, and parents with the UP Women’s Football Team during the Footbulilit on March 24 at the UP Sunken Garden
As part of its Women’s Month celebration, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) organized a community bazaar on 10-14 March 2025 at the UPCWGS front yard.
Participating concessionaires were Handcraftedbyshe, Crafts And Cranks, Magic Hand Enterprise, Malabon Craft and Non-Craft, Nova Sushi Manila, Slowburnmnl, Resonate.Coffee, Carmen’s Best Ice Cream, Mhelda’s Food Product, Marcel Philippe Quezon City, White Cross Children’s Home, Pinangga Ethnic Hand Embroidery, LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights), Homenet Multipurpose Cooperative, and Dax Sausage.
Support for the event was also provided by the Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development Promotions Office, the UP Diliman Campus Maintenance Office, and the UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. The UP Varsity Pep Drummers performed during the opening of the bazaar.
Dr. Marie Aubrey J. Villaceran of the UPCWGS at the opening of the community bazaar on March 10
Championing Rights: Why Comprehensive Sexuality Education Is a Must
The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) invites everyone to Championing Rights: Why Comprehensive Sexuality Education Is a Must on 8 April 2025 (Tuesday), 2:00-4:00 PM at the UPCWGS Conference Room. This event is the 12th session of the “Site of Convergence: Weaving Tapestries of Knowledge” lecture series.
This is an event where a panel of speakers will answer the question: Why should we support comprehensive sexuality education? They will share their experiences and knowledge about working with youth communities regarding adolescent reproductive health and rights.
Our speakers are:
Sabrina Laya S. Gacad is presently the chairperson of the Department of Women and Development Studies, at the College of Social Work and Community Development in UP Diliman. Her research interests include Filipino sexuality, reproductive health behaviors and policies, and authentic movement. She also maintains a meditative movement practice and offers private classes. She is also the founder of Lunas Collective, a volunteer-powered online helpline and care space for people seeking support related to gender-based violence, and reproductive health. Lunas Collective’s helpline operates from Monday to Saturday, 1:00-7:00 PM.
Luis Emmanuel A. Abesamis is a health social scientist and gender studies scholar with transdisciplinary training in anthropology, sociology, and psychology. Their scholarly interests are in transgender health, the social and political histories of public health, critical drug studies, and community health engagement. Luis earned their Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Sciences (magna cum laude) from the University of the Philippines Manila and their Master of Health Social Science from De La Salle University Manila. At present, they are a fellow of the UPCWGS, a member of the International Advisory Board of the Community Development Journal, and an affiliated researcher of the Decolonial Studies Research Network.
Diana Verzosa Moraleda leads Roots of Health’s strategic media programs that raise public awareness on reproductive health and promote health-seeking behavior. Her diverse experience across research, advocacy, media, and project management underscores her ability to amplify critical issues, consolidate insights, manage complex programs, and shape communication strategies to drive social change. Before joining Roots of Health in 2022, Diana held key roles in international NGOs including International Alert, Research Triangle Institute, and Child Rights Coalition Asia, where she contributed to peace-building, health governance, and child rights. She has also worked in academic institutions and grassroots organizations focused on social justice and public health.
John Lawrence Legaspi, commonly known as Lega, is a community leader, community journalist, and an advocate. He is currently the head of the social communications committee of the youth network Kabataan Community Health Advocacy and currently serving as communications staff at Likhaan Center for Women’s Health, Inc. In 2023, Lega became a certified community-based HIV screening motivator trained by HIV & AIDS Support House, Inc. (HASH) followed by the Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP). With his dedication in community education and access to services, Lega became one of the top community group leaders/promoters of the Community CSOs’ Action for SRHR, a project of Likhaan and co-funded by the European Union. Lega continuously serves the community through his advocacy in mental health, human rights, arts, environment, sexual health, and journalism.
To open its Women’s Month celebration, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) launched the latest issue of its journal, the Review of Women’s Studies Volume XXXIV, Number 1, on 10 March 2025 at the UPCWGS Conference Room.
The featured works for this issue of the journal are:
Research Papers
Clandestine Casualties: Examining the Right to Abortion Under International Law in the Philippine Context by Marianne Crielle G. Vitug
Microaggression Toward Filipino Women With Mobility Disabilities: From Microstories to Macrostruggles by Christelle Juin R. Ancha and Jan Erron R. Celebrado
Nipping the Stereotypes: Development of a Sexual Health Literacy Program for Teens and Young Adults With Moderate to Severe Levels of Intellectual Disability by Marie Grace A. Gomez
Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Philippine Health Sector: A Policy Review by Lynnell Alexie Ong, Reneepearl Kim Sales, Pura Angela Wee Co, and Katherine Ann Reyes
“Goodness Without the Guilt”: Constructing the Ideal Feminine Through Consumerism That Cares by Maritess D. Cruz
Review
Hyphenate Woman: Pacita Abad Stitching Solidarity—A Review of Pacita Abad’s Retrospective at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art by Jose Santos P. Ardivilla
Creative Works
Sulsi at Iba Pang Tula by Roda Tajon
Dr. Marie Aubrey J. Villaceran (left) and Dr. Rowena A. Laguilles-Timog (right) of the UPCWGS with (from left to right) Asst. Prof. Jose Santos P. Ardivilla, Dr. Marie Grace A. Gomez, Lynnell Alexie D. Ong, Asst. Prof. Roda L. Tajon, Christelle Juin R. Ancha, and Asst. Prof. Maritess D. Cruz at the launch of the Review of Women’s Studies Volume XXXIV, Number 1 on March 10
The Review of Women’s Studies (RWS) is a refereed journal published twice a year by the UPCWGS. The journal serves as a forum where ideas on issues and concerns affecting the lives of women, seen from the analytical perspectives of different disciplines, may be exchanged. Works that critically explore the myriad experiences of Filipino women and problematize gender relations in Philippine society are welcome. The RWS encourages and seeks to publish: (a) research papers that employ feminist methodologies and that adhere to the principles of feminist research, bearing in mind the intersectionality of gender, class, religion, age, and education; (b) reviews of current scholarship (local or foreign); and (c) creative works (poems, short fiction, essays, and artworks) that provide insights into women’s consciousness and give life to their hopes and dreams. The RWS follows the double-blind peer review process.
Clandestine Casualties: Examining the Right to Abortion Under International Law in the Philippine Context by Marianne Crielle G. Vitug
Microaggression Toward Filipino Women With Mobility Disabilities: From Microstories to Macrostruggles by Christelle Juin R. Ancha and Jan Erron R. Celebrado
Nipping the Stereotypes: Development of a Sexual Health Literacy Program for Teens and Young Adults With Moderate to Severe Levels of Intellectual Disability by Marie Grace A. Gomez
Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Philippine Health Sector: A Policy Review by Lynnell Alexie Ong, Reneepearl Kim Sales, Pura Angela Wee Co, and Katherine Ann Reyes
“Goodness Without the Guilt”: Constructing the Ideal Feminine Through Consumerism That Cares by Maritess D. Cruz
Review
Hyphenate Woman: Pacita Abad Stitching Solidarity—A Review of Pacita Abad’s Retrospective at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art by Jose Santos P. Ardivilla
Creative Works
Sulsi at Iba Pang Tula by Roda Tajon
You may view the journal here until 11 April 2025.
The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) celebrates this year’s Women’s Month with the theme, “Accelerate Action: Driving Gender Equality Across All Domains,” by hosting a series of activities that highlight the importance of gender equality, community service, and empowerment for all:
Women’s Month Community Bazaar March 10-14 (Monday-Friday), 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM UPCWGS Front Yard Open to the Public
Gender Sensitivity Training March 10 (Monday), 8:30 AM – 12:00 NN UPCWGS Conference Room For UP System Administration GFPS Members
Review of Women’s Studies Volume XXXIV, Number 1 Launch March 10 (Monday), 1:30-4:00 PM UPCWGS Conference Room Open to the Public
Inay Ko Po: Pagkilala sa Kababaihan, Kanilang Trabaho, at mga Kwento March 14 (Friday), 9:00-11:00 AM Kalinga Day Care Center For KDCC Kids
Kapihan at Talakayan: Paglilingkod nang may Malasakit sa Komunidad March 14 (Friday), 1:30-3:00 PM UPCWGS Conference Room For San Pedro, Laguna LGU
Training on Gender Analysis and Its Tools March 17 (Monday), 8:30 AM – 12:00 NN UPCWGS Conference Room For UP System Administration GFPS Members
Inay Ko Po: Pagkilala sa Kababaihan, Kanilang Trabaho, at mga Kwento March 21 (Friday), 2:00-4:00 PM Kalinga Day Care Center For KDCC Kids
Training on GAD Plan and Budget March 24 (Monday), 8:30 AM – 12:00 NN UPCWGS Conference Room For UP System Administration GFPS Members
Footbulilit March 24 (Monday), 8:30-11:00 AM Sunken Garden For KDCC Kids
The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) is looking for a Project Staff (Training Coordinator).
Interested applicants may send their documentary requirements and cover letter to: [email protected].
The deadline for submission of applications is 28 February 2025.
You may also submit printed requirements in a sealed envelope to the Administrative Office, UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, Magsaysay Ave. corner Ylanan St., UP Campus, Quezon City.
Note: This is a contractual position with employment subject to evaluation and renewal.
