MEN AND WOMEN IN EQUALITY; ENDOWED WITH THE SAME DIGNITY.
The Department of Education issues gender-responsive basic education policy.
The Department of Education (DepEd) issued a gender-responsive basic education policy (DepEd Order No. 32, s. 2017) that “commits to integrate the principles of gender equality, gender equity, gender sensitivity, non-discrimination and human rights in the provision and governance of basic education”. Signed by Undersecretary Alberto T. Muyot, DepEd Undersecretary, the policy specifically “seeks to enable DepEd to undertake gender mainstreaming in education to address both enduring and emerging gender and sexuality-related issues in basic education, to promote the protection of children from all forms of gender-related violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination and bullying, and to promote gender equality and non-discrimination in the workplace and within DepEd”. The policy also – finally – broadens DepEd’s gender and development (GAD) programs by tackling not only women’s issues, but also of other sexual minorities. Among the other (and more specific) highlights of the policy include:
Enforcement and compliance with RA 9710 on non-expulsion of women faculty and female learners who become pregnant outside of marriage;
Implementation of sexual and reproductive health services in every school;
Formulation of policies to boost women’s participation in sports;
Provision of facilities for differently-abled people;
Establishment of media network and mechanism to disseminate GAD-related information/advocacy campaigns;
Establishment of VAWC desk in schools; and
Provision of breastfeeding stations and child-minding stations.