Tarlac State University’s Office of Gender and Development (OGAD) wrapped up the fourth day of its seminar series with a session on "Institutionalizing VAWC (Violence Against Women and Their Children) Prevention and Response Mechanisms" on Friday (November 13) at the TSU Gymnasium.
“Our direction is very clear and is full of hope - a VAW-free TSU, a gender responsive TSU, a disaster-ready TSU. Isang TSU na masaya dahil ligtas - at ligtas dahil nagmamahalan, may malasakit sa isa’t isa. We cannot change the world in one day; We cannot change TSU overnight. Pero kaya nating baguhin ang mundo at ang TSU,” University President Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza said in his message.
Atty. Vivien Claire Coleen Yalung from the School of Law, who served as a resource speaker, tackled the “Institutionalizing VAWC Prevention, Policies, and Response Mechanisms” and “Building a VAWC- Responsive University Culture through Prevention and Institutional Accountability”.
During the discussion, Atty. Yalung differentiated the major forms of violence, namely physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and economic violence.
Atty. Yalung further emphasized what an institutionalized commitment means by stating that policies should not depend on who holds the position or occupies the office. She said a profound system should be fostered regardless of changes in leadership and administration.
She said the university offices play a vital role: the Office of the University President should issue a directive supporting a VAWC-responsive university; the Office of Human Resource Management and Development should provide employee orientation and workshop referral procedures; the Office of Student Affairs should integrate and raise VAWC awareness in student orientations; while the OGAD will supervise, conduct prevention activities, trainings, policy development, and monitoring. The security officers will play their role in strengthening campus safety protocols, while the Supply and Budget Units and the Planning Office should support allocations and integrate institutional plans within the university.
Atty. Yalung also talked about individual accountability, unit-level accountability, and institutional accountability for the whole TSU community. She also mentioned the agencies that a victim or concerned individual can reach for help.
“Let us commit to zero tolerance of violence against women and children for a safe classroom and office. Let us commit to gender responsive action in our policies, services, and decision-making. And let us commit to readiness and resilience, so that every member of the TSU community can face disaster with confidence,” Dr. Brendalyn A. Manzano, Vice President for Academic Affairs, said in her opening remarks.
OGAD Director Prof. Christine Janelle M. Santiago thanked everyone who participated and stayed for the seminar’s culminating activity, and encouraged everyone to apply their learnings back in their offices, homes, and the community.
“Huwag nating piliing manahimik kapag nakakita tayo ng karahasan. Huwag tayong magbulag-bulagan kapag may na-witness tayong discrimination, and never allow indifference to become stronger than our courage to do what is right. Let us build a Tarlac State University where no one has to be afraid, where no one is left behind,” she said in her closing remarks.
The activity ended with participants signing a pledge of commitment to promote a VAW-free, gender-responsive, and disaster-ready university.
This is the last day of the four-day event of OGAD titled “Ready, Resilient, and Safe: Building a VAW-Free, Gender-Responsive, and Disaster-Ready TSU,” held in coordination with the Office of University Health Services, through the Pollution Control and Safety Unit, the Office of National Service Training Program, the Office of the Human Resource Development and Management, and the Non-Academic Staff Association.
