The University of the Philippines Visayas joined the celebration of 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration with a series of activities spearheaded by the Gender and Development Office (GDP). This celebration was in partnership with the Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Network. The activities were crafted in line with the theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas”.

The celebration kicked off with a webinar titled “Mainstreaming Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in the workplace” with GEDSI consultant, Maria Criselda Morales Bisda, IAAP CPACC, M.HRM, D. IRM. 

Snacks were distributed by the GDP Office to the UPV community last March 10, 2025 at the Administration Building, UP Visayas Miagao Campus and in the Iloilo City Campus. Last March 13 and 14, pampering sessions were given to women employees of the university. This was followed by EmpowHER: Women’s Month Martial Arts Self-Defense Training last March 12, 2025 at the UPV Auditorium and EMbracing Wholeness: An Art Therapy for UPV Employees last March 19, 2025.  

A public forum on building safe spaces in the community titled “Mula sa Loob, Hanggang sa Labas: Empowering Communities Through Safe and Inclusive Spaces” was held at the CFOS AV Hall last March 21, 2025. Asst. Prof. Moniq M. Muyargas served as the resource speaker for the event, which was attended by the UPV community and representatives from the local government of Miagao. 

A People’s Bazaar was opened at the back of the UPV Main Building last March 24-28, which not only showcased local entrepreneurs and artisans but also women-led enterprises.  Additionally, a yoga session, entitled “Meditation in Motion: Introduction to Mind-Body Exercises to Improve Women’s Well-being”, was held at the UPV Auditorium last March 25.

The month-long celebration concluded with “Facts and Fallacies: A Forum on Comprehensive Sexuality Education” with Dr. Junice L. Demetrio-Melgar, Dr. Krishna Marie G. Jontarciego and Mr. Richard S. Magullado as resource speakers. This was held at the UPV Little Theater last March 28, 2025. 

UP Visayas continues to celebrate women’s significant contribution in the society. This celebration also shed light in addressing emerging issues faced by women in the society as well as to reaffirm the commitment of different sectors to promote gender mainstreaming and foster an inclusive society for all.