To build a more inclusive and gender-sensitive community, Xavier University, through the Xavier University Gender and Development (XAGaD) and Human Relations Offices in partnership with the Xavier University Community Credit Cooperative (XUCCCO), facilitated orientations on gender and development concepts for all its non-teaching staff. The sessions aimed to raise awareness and consciousness about gender issues and equip staff members with the necessary and relevant knowledge and tools to promote gender equality and inclusivity in their respective roles.
Administrative staff, maintenance personnel, and other non-teaching employees attended the five batches of orientations. The sessions took place at the Xavier University main campus on 4 July 2024, with 56 participants at AVR 1; 10 July 2024, with 36 participants at AVR 3; 24 July 2024, with 54 participants at AVR 1; 7 August 2024, with 46 participants at AVR 1; and 14 August 2024, with 64 participants at AVR 1. The sessions are a part of Xavier University’s efforts to mainstream gender into its operations.
Three resource persons who handled the sessions were Judge Jarley Sulay (Batch 1), Dr Chona Echavez (Batches 2 and 5), and Atty Kristine Kay Lazarito-Calingin (Batches 3 and 4). They discussed a range of topics, including sex and gender, why gender is a development issue, agents of socialization, manifestations of gender bias, understanding SOGIESC, gender-fair language, and the vision of a gender-fair society. These topics will hopefully help the non-teaching staff to contribute to creating a safer, more respectful environment on all campuses. The sessions focused on how gender awareness can prevent discrimination and enhance workplace relationships, ethics, and culture. They can integrate gender-sensitive practices such as using gender-fair language in communication and respecting people's chosen pronouns in daily interactions with students, faculty members, formators, administrators, and colleagues.
Mr Lan Espinosa, the Human Relations Director, believed the sessions stressed the XU community’s respect for the diversity of personalities and personal preferences.
Since the non-teaching staff plays an integral role in maintaining an inclusive campus environment, they can apply the concepts and principles learned during the orientation in their daily tasks. Mr Ryan Toledo, one of the participants, emphasized the importance of ongoing education and reflection. He encourages his co-participants to continue learning and applying gender sensitivity daily.
Other participants appreciated the program, noting that the orientation offered a valuable learning experience and highlighted the importance of gender sensitivity in the workplace. Ms Kylla I Ladera shared that she learned to recognize and respect individual identities. She believes understanding gender diversity is crucial, as it is about being inclusive, withholding judgment, and treating everyone with respect, regardless of their identity.
As Ms Aishelle A Rubin said, they can contribute to promoting gender equality by being aware and empathetic about other gender identities, being pleasant and polite regardless of gender, educating themselves and others, using inclusive language, respecting pronouns and names, being mindful of actively challenging gender stereotypes in everyday situations, supporting gender equality initiatives, and listening to and amplifying the marginalized voices.
The resource persons pointed out that even small actions can make a big difference. A growing awareness of gender and development concepts can strengthen the commitment of Xavier University to gender inclusion for its staff, students, and the larger community.