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

 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 ;

 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;

 1970s to Women fought and organized against martial law and campaigned for Cory Aquino who toppled the Marcos  present period of organizing ; emergence of women’s and women’s centers (research; crisis interventions)  Gender mainstreaming in government

 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.

 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

 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

World Human Rights Conference, Vienna, August 1993 Jakarta Preparatory Conference on Women, July, 1995; Beijng Conference on Women, Sept 1995.

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.

 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

 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

-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.

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 ) Increase in knowledge products such as books; research papers and programs;

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

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 ;

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