In celebration of the 2025 National Women's Month, the Social Science 5 Section 5 class under Prof. Mary Barby P. Badayos-Jover convened at Miagao National High School to conduct a seminar titled “Empower, Heal, Support: Breaking the Silence on Gender-Based Violence.”
The said seminar was held last March 21, 2025, from 8:00-11:30 AM. The half-day event was participated in by Grade 11 students of the said host school. The program was hosted by Angela Uy and Zoe Barruela. The organizing section then also prepared a lot of ice breakers and fun activities for the participating students to be entertained throughout the sessions, it was facilitated by Jea Borres, Nicole Gambot, and Rachelle Basoy.
The program was also composed of discussions about The Overview of Sexual Harassment, How to spot a Harasser, Setting Boundaries and Practical tips to be aware of Harrassment, these discussions were delivered by Samantha Maravilla. The organizers also had a healing tree activity where the students wrote different learnings about the event and messages for all the women.
To make the discussion even more compelling and engaging, the Social Science 5 Section 5 students also invited lawyers from Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) to give overviews on the contents of Philippine laws that address gender-based violence. Apart from serving as resource persons, Atty. Cecille Therese G. Pedregosa, Atty. Angela Mae S.Bautista-Pedregosa and Atty. Shella Mae O. Magalonga-Tan also allocated time to give legal advice to students and faculty.
The seminar helped the participants enlighten their minds what legal actions could be done in terms of harassment and violence in any situational context, ensuring that they know how to respond whenever they experience any kind of the said pressing issue. The efforts of the faculty and students from the University of the Philippines Visayas made a significant impact in raising awareness and combating gender-based violence, marking the end of Women’s Month by taking tangible steps toward change.
