The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Central Office (OVCAA) celebrated the National Women’s Month with unit-level activities that spanned the entire month of March. This event is in connection with University of the Philippines Diliman’s celebration of International Women’s Month 2025 with its unique theme, “Filipina Winnah! Sa Halalan, Isulong ang Women’s Agenda.”

Through the initiatives of the OVCAA Gender and Development Committee and guidance of the Diliman Gender Office, the unit-level activities were “Purple Wednesdays” and the “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Campaign.”

In “Purple Wednesdays,” the OVCAA staff and other personnel were encouraged to wear clothes in shades of purple to signify support towards the advocacy of women empowerment, gender equality and inclusivity, and social sensibility and responsibility.

Vice Chancellor Maria Vanessa P. Lusung-Oyzon gives her opening remarks during the Women’s Month kick-off.

In the “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Campaign,” the OVCAA Gender and Development Committee initiated a lecture that explored the basics of sexual and reproductive health, and highlighted the importance of understanding one’s sexual and reproductive rights. Ms. Latrell Felix, Senior Project Management Assistant from NSTP – UP Diliman, was the sole speaker of the said lecture. She emphasized that discussions about sexual and reproductive health and rights should be “dignified, not demonized.” This lecture was moderated by OVCAA Gender and Development Committee Chairperson Mr. Carlos Noel Gacutan.

Turn-over of SRHR kits and materials to OVCAA.

Distribution of materials initiated by the GAD Committee.

At the end of the lecture, the OVCAA Gender and Development Committee introduced the SRHR kits, which contain contraceptive commodities, menstrual health and hygiene products, and campaign pamphlets. These SRHR kits were installed near the washrooms within the DILC Building with the aim to empower and promote positive attitudes towards exercising one’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

All-Gender Restroom poster signage at the washroom entrance.

OVCAA staffs  and GAD members after SRHR kit .installation

In the end, through these unit-level activities, the members of the OVCAA Gender and Development (GAD) Committee remain committed to empowering women from all backgrounds, with a central vision of fostering a community that thrives on inclusivity and equality.