WOMEN’S STUDIES : KEY ISSUES AND BEST PRACTICES

IN THE PHILIPPINES

Prof. Aurora Javate de Dios Women and Gender Institute-Miriam College

DISCUSSION POINTS 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

;

I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

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;

HISTORICAL CON’T 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

CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN’S STUDIES AND WOMEN’S STUDIES PRACTITIONERS

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.

II. BEGINNINGS OF WOMEN’S STUDIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

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

III. FACTORS FOR THE GROWTH OF WOMEN’S STUDIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

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

IMPORTANT WORLD CONFERENCES THAT PROMOTED WOMEN’S STUDIES AND GENDER FAIR EDUCATION

World Human Rights Conference, Vienna, August 1993

Jakarta Preparatory Conference on Women, July, 1995;

Beijng Conference on Women, Sept 1995.

IV. APPROACHES IN INTRODUCING WOMEN’S STUDIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

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.

APPROACHES CON’T 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

WOMEN AND GENDER INSTITUTE AT MIRIAM COLLEGE

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

TRAINING OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, NGOS AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS ON GENDER, WOMEN’S HUMAN

RIGHTS , GENDER FAIR EDUCATION, MIGRATION AND FEMINIST ECONOMICS

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

WAGI CONDUCTS YOUNG WOMEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS FOR HIGHSCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN , DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP

WAGI ALSO SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL FOR A ON UN CEDAW , BEIJNG + 15

THE DIFFERENCE THAT WOMEN’S STUDIES HAVE DONE TO EDUCATION

-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;

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.

V. GAINS IN WOMEN’S STUDIES

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;

GAINS AND TRENDS CON’T4) 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

III. Strategic Issues and Challenges in Sustaining WS In the Philippines

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 ;

VI . Prospects for the Future

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

THANK YOU !