The UPLB Gender Center held a symposium to celebrate the International Women’s Month on March 20 at the Operations Room of A.G. Samonte Hall. Dr. Ma. Regina M. Hechanova, Executive Director of the Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development (Ateneo CORD), was the event’s resource speaker.
Dr. Maria Helen F. Dayo, Director of the Gender Center
gave the welcoming remarks while Prof. Amelia L. Bello, coordinator of the Gender for Rural Development Office,
formally introduced
Dr. Hechanova.
Dr. Hechanova spoke about the Filipinas’ journey to
equality and work life balance by tracing back the Philippines’ patriarchal history
and roots. Although the situation of women in the Philippines is not as bad as
in other countries, she said that women still experience discrimination and
inequality in compensation and opportunities compared to the opposite sex. She
shared her experiences of being a modern woman, pursuing further studies on top
of being a mom, a wife, and a career woman – while trying to be her own person.
She also mentioned the difficulty of finding mentors as a woman.
Serving as discussants were Prof. Josefina L. Solivas of the
Institute of Chemistry and Coordinator of the Office of AntiSexual Harassment
and Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Dean of the UPLB Graduate School.
Dr. Hechanova is an awardee of The Outstanding Women in
the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) in 2010. The award is presented by the TOWNS
Foundation to outstanding Filipinas who have contributed positively to
strengthening our national capability. (KE Araguas)
