1. Prof. Aurora Javate de Dios Women and Gender Institute-Miriam College WOMEN’S STUDIES : KEY ISSUES AND BEST PRACTICES IN THE PHILIPPINES

2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF WOMEN’S MOVEMENT; BEGINNINGS OF WOMEN’S STUDES IN THE PHILIPPINES FACTORS IN THE GROWTH OF WOMEN’S STUDIES APPROACHES IN INTRODUCING GENDER IN THE ACADEME; MIRIAM COLLEGE WOMEN AND GENDER INSTITUTE ; HOW WOMEN’S STUDIES ENRICHED AND RECONFIGURED EDUCATION ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE ; DISCUSSION POINTS

3. 1930s-Suffrage movement as early as the 1930s 1970s – Period of student activism ; Women’s groups in the 70s started discussing women’s issues and problems ; the concept of patriarchy and feminism were debated in informal circles and groups of women and men; Activist men were against this early feminism because these concepts came from the west and that they will detract from the main struggle against dictatorship; I. Historical Background

4. 1970s to 1986 -Women fought and organized against martial law and campaigned for Cory Aquino who toppled the Marcos 1986- present period of organizing ; emergence of women’s and women’s centers (research; crisis interventions) Gender mainstreaming in government Historical Con’t

5. Women’s studies emerged from the praxis of the women’s movement ; Most of the pioneers and practitioners of women’s studies have been activists who were part of the country’s political movement against martial law in the 70s; Although many feminists share the same goal – the achievement of women’s rights in all aspects –political, economic and socio-cultural rights, they are also diverse in their perspectives; theories and orientation. Characteristics of women’s studies and women’s studies practitioners

6. Formation of Metro Manila Women’s Studies Consortium , 1987 1988 – First Metro Manila Women’s Studies Consortium Conference in Los Banos, Laguna; Formalization of Women’s Studies Association of the Philippines as a national network of women’s studies advocates and teachers , 1992 First teacher training workshops in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao on Women’s studies curriculum revision 1992-1994 II. Beginnings of Women’s Studies in the Philippines

7. PRESENCE OF STRONG WOMEN’S MOVEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES AND GLOBALLY AND GROWTH OF WOMEN’S PROGRAMS IN ASIA , NORTH AMERICA AND LATIN AMERICA BEIJING CONFERENCE ON WOMEN AND GROWTH OF TRANSNATIONAL WOMEN’S MOVEMENT; GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN GOVERNMENT AFTER RATIFICATION OF CEDAW III. FACTORS FOR THE GROWTH OF WOMEN’S STUDIES in the philippines

8. World Human Rights Conference, Vienna, August 1993 Jakarta Preparatory Conference on Women, July, 1995; Beijng Conference on Women, Sept 1995. important world conferences that promoted women’s studies and gender fair education

9. I. As major course at the MA level • MA in Women and Development , University of the Philippines ; • MA in Women’s Studies, St. Scholastica’s College II. As Minor in Women’s Studies- Miriam College ; III. Introductory courses in Social Sciences and Values ED-UP and Miriam College; IV. Integration of Gender into Curriculum in selected subjects- Psychology, Literature, Law, History, Journalism and media ettc. iv. approaches in introducing women’s studies in the philippines

10. V. Establishment of Women’s Centers ( stand alone or in combination with academic subjects)- research, advocacy and training ; VI. Gender and Development Extension Services –Outreach and Organizing Approaches Con’t

11. A TRAINING, RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY CENTER THAT PROMOTES • -GENDER FAR EDUCATION • -WOMEN’ S HUMAN RIGHTS ; • YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP; • WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN PEACE AND SECURITY ISSUES ; • GENDER PERSPECTIVES IN ECONOMICS AND TRADE WOMEN AND GENDER INSTITUTE AT MIRIAM COLLEGE

12. Training of government officials, ngos and international partners on gender, women’s human rights , gender fair education, migration and feminist economics

13. WAGI WORKS WITH MUSLIM WOMEN’S GROUPS AND OTHER INDIGENOUS GROUPS TO PROMOTE PEACE PROCESSES AND UN SECURITY COUNCIL 1325

14. WAGI CONDUCTS Young Women Leadership ProgramS FOR HIGHSCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN , DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP

15. Wagi also sponsors international and regional for a on un cedaw , beijng + 15

16. -Enriched social , natural sciences and the arts by unraveling and documenting the contributions of women throughout history; -Introduced a different approach to learning and education through participative processes; critical thinking and writing; - Broke barriers to women’s educational and occupational opportunities; THE DIFFERENCE THAT Women’s Studies HAVE DONE TO EDUCATION

17. As a result of the promotion to recognize women’s rights and potential , more women are going into science and technology and other non-traditional sectors.

18. 1)Expansion of Women’s Studies programs in the country - not full programs -diversity of forms and entry points such as training, project development on gender ; 2) Increase in schools offering women and gender studies in the Philippines 100+ 3) Increase in knowledge products such as books; research papers and programs; V. Gains in Women’s studies

19. 4) Intersection of women’s studies, development policy and activism -institutionalization of gender mainstreaming in government, international organizations , donor agencies as a strategy for development -increased demand for gender experts by governments and donor agencies; 5) Academe as center for discussion and advocacy and campaigns on gender issues- reproductive health and rights; violence against women GAINS AND TRENDS Con’t

20. a)Sustaining and Institutionalizing Women’s Studies Programs –--dependent on women’s studies champions; b) Absence of institutional support from government and from school administrators c) Curriculum integration of gender perspective in the academe is still inadequate ; III. Strategic Issues and Challenges in Sustaining WS In the Philippines

21. 1)Continuing linkage of feminist academicians with women’s movement; 2) Solidarity with regional and global networks of women’s studies advocates and activists (UN Commission on the Status of Women; UNESCAP; GEAR ; ASEAN Committee on Human Rights, etc. 3)Engaging young women in women’s studies and activism; 4) Male involvement in both academic and advocacy of women’s rights VI . Prospects for the Future

22. THANK YOU !