UGDO Bulletin: Increasing University Efforts in Capacity Building and Information Dissemination

Ateneo de Manila University continues the yearly campaign under the theme of ‘Increasing university efforts in capacity building and information dissemination.’ We invite the University Community to join us in sustaining efforts to proactively strengthen practices and programs to prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. 

Reiterated in this campaign is the commitment to the 4 principles of the code and rules: “zero tolerance, whole of university approach, do no harm and due process.” Several mechanisms have been developed over the years to ensure the institutionalization of these principles both in basic and higher education.  In 2023, training, workshops, fora, and various onboarding and Gender Sensitivity Training for university stakeholders as well as stocktaking for the University Decorum and Investigation System are the key activities for the year-end calendar. 

Interested parties may contact the organizations, offices, and units directly for more details, as the events may still be updated and finalized. 

Training, Onboarding and GST

The following offices and committees are scheduled for onboarding and GST during the campaign:

• Central Administration (10 and 17 November)
• Ateneo School of Law staff and professionals (including Library) (18 November)
• University CODI (en banc) (28 November)

In addition to this, 29 November marks the launch of the online module for onboarding and GST for the following:

• All full-time and part-time faculty, professionals, administration, and staff members of Ateneo de Manila University.
• All Higher Education Students of Ateneo de Manila University (except undergraduate students who will take this module via INTACT)

Mayari and the ASHS Gender Hub will offer their annual First-Response Training initiative aims to equip our first responders with the necessary skills such as communication, listening, and resource linking, which is a requirement to provide efficient and safe peer-to-peer level counseling on 15 to 22 November.

A GST on Consent and Boundaries for Tulong Dunong Tutors is slated for 4 to 8 December and aims to equip TD tutors with the capacity to establish boundaries and ask for consent when dealing with their tutoring kids. ASHS Gender Hub and the CLE subject area are the sponsors of this activity. 

Workshops, Exhibits and Activities

The LS Gender Focal Point Committee in cooperation with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the University Gender and Development Office will sponsor a workshop for the development of gender-related courses and content particularly for the newly created Minor in Gender Studies. LS Gender Focal Point Committee Members and collaborating departments, programs, and centers are invited to attend the workshop on 1 December from 12:00 nn – 2:00 pm. Venue is TBA

The Ateneo School of Law through the Ateneo Human Rights Center Urduja Women’s Desk will hold a self-defense training session on 24 November at the Rockwell Campus.

The newly formed Spaces for Women’s Art and Narratives: A Feminist and Fine Arts Organization invites all Ateneans to wear purple from 27 November to 1 December, in solidarity with the campaign. 

“Himig ng Pag-asa: 16 Days of Activism Against SGBV” is an exhibit that features the Golden Gays and the Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau. It presents the reality of the elderly LGBTQIA+ people, promotes HIV awareness, and tells the narratives of women SGBV survivors.  The exhibit is located at the ASHS Building Foyer and will run from 28 November to 1 December.  ASHS Mayari and Lakambini have sponsored this event.

The Urduja Women’s Desk of the Ateneo Human Rights Center will also hold an exhibit on “Redefining Strength: Empowering Women, Eradicating Violence” at the B1 lobby, Ateneo Rockwell Campus from 20 to 25 November. 

Safe Space Conversations

The Gender Hub and Mayari of the SHS will host a safe space conversation that aims to create members of the community who are able to create and maintain safe spaces. It presents members of the ASHS community with the opportunity to open up and be themselves while being persons for others.  This will be held on 1 December.

A round table discussion on the Case of Malaya Lolas will be held at the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Room on 23 November. Urduja Women's Desk - Ateneo Human Rights Center is the sponsor of this initiative.

A presentation of the 1^st Code and Rules Audit findings by the University Gender and Development Office is scheduled for stakeholders on 15 December in view of revisions to the code.  This is part of the audit function of this office.