Message from the President

In his message commemorating International Women’s Day in 2018, UN Secretary-General António Guterres lamented the persistence of gender inequality: “Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.”

Seven years later, we have made significant strides and achieved promising results in our efforts to promote gender equality. However, Guterres’ words continue to haunt us; gender disparity remains entrenched in society. Discrimination, violence, abuse, denial, and lack of access to education, health care, and job opportunities, and underrepresentation in political and economic decision processes are still prevalent.

At Ateneo de Manila, our dedication to gender equality is unwavering. We adhere to international and national policy frameworks not out of obligation but because we believe in the cause. Gender inequality affects everyone. Gender equality benefits everyone. Guided by our Ignatian principles, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone is empowered and respected. We are a place and space where everyone’s voice is heard, seen, and valued. We endeavor to be a home for all.

Nuestra casa es el mundo. The world is our home. When Jerónimo Nadal SJ, one of the early assistants of St Ignatius, spoke these words, he was referring to how Jesuits should place themselves in service to the world. And to be in service means opening one’s mind, heart, and soul to others. To connect and engage each person we encounter with compassion and dignity. It is perhaps the modern equivalent of inclusivity, diversity, and belonging.

The commitment to inclusion, diversity, and belonging is animated in our day-to-day operations, from our gender-related policies and practices to our offices (University Gender Hub, University Gender and Development Office, and University Office on Decorum and Investigation), as well as unit-initiated activities and events that promote gender equality. The Dr Rosita G Leong School of Social Sciences offers a Minor in Gender Studies. By the time you read this, the recipient of the Research Grant on Women and Gender will have been announced, a testament to ourcommitment to supporting research that builds gender-inclusive, gender- responsive,and gender-safe communities.

There is still much work to be done. Still, as long as we remain committed to living our Ignatian values and engaging in conversations that lead to conversions, we will not only bridge the gap but also transform the world into a place where everyone— regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, cultural, political or religious belief— feels at home. Nuestra casa es el mundo.

 Fr Roberto C Yap SJ