(APR. 9)—UP Diliman (UPD) celebrated its first Gawad Kasarian last Mar. 30 and held it via Zoom conference and simultaneously streamed live over the UPD Gender Office (UPDGO) official Facebook page.

The University Library (UL) Gender and Development (GAD) Committee was the first Gawad Kasarian recipient.

The UL GAD Committee was recognized for its distinct dedication in advancing the rights and well-being of individuals of all gender. It was among the first committees in UL and had been active since March 2012. Through the UL GAD Committee, the Library was among the first units, if not the first, to have a child minding room.

Apart from the UL GAD Committee, other awardees were: UPD Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Gawad Kasarian Unang Gantimpala), UPD National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development GAD Committee (Gawad Kasarian Natatanging Pagkilala) and UPD Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH; Gawad Kasarian Natatanging Opisina).

Meanwhile, Prof. Rosario Bona de Santos del Rosario, PhD, was named Gawad Kasarian Natatanging Indibidwal.

Del Rosario, the first coordinator of UPDGO from 1998 to 2008, was the key person in the establishment of the Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH), and served as inspiration to many for her clear view of the future of women in society.

Del Rosario was recognized for her dedication in advancing the rights and well-being of all women and all individuals regardless of gender, and her significant contribution in advocating gender and development in UPD.

According to UPDGO, the Gawad Kasarian was conceived in 2018 and is a recognition given to Gender and Development (GAD) Committees of units, colleges and offices of UPD for their efforts and dedication toward achieving a rich and outstanding practice of initiating, developing and implementing gender and development programs.

“Ang unang Gawad Kasarian ay nakatuon sa institusyonalisasyon ng mga komite at mga accomplishments mula 2018 hanggang 2020.  Kabilang dito ang pagkakaroon ng at pagsusumite ng GAD plan and budget at GAD accomplishment reports, suporta ng mga pinuno ng yunit at ng kolehiyo,” DGO Officer-in-Charge Kristel May Gomez Magdaraog, RSW, said.

Meanwhile, in his message at the Gawad Kasarian, UPD Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo said the award and the participation of the units are testaments to the importance of gender mainstreaming in the university.

“Ito rin ay patunay na buhay ang nais nating maisulong, ang gender equality sa ating lipunan. Pagkilala rin ito na upang maabot ang adhikain na gender equality, kailangan natin ng mga tagapagtaguyod, mga advocate, mga implementor, policymakers, supporters na masigasig na tumataya at nagbibigay hamon at inspirasyon sa ating lahat,” the Chancellor said.

The Chancellor added that because of the works of UPDGO and the GAD Committees, UPD is a better space environment and institution, “Kaya’t gusto ko ipaabot ang aking paghanga sa inyong lahat para sa inyong paniniwala, para sa inyong pagpupunla, para sa inyong pagpapaunlad ng ating pangarap.”

The awardees each received a certificate with the Gawad Kasarian logo and a 10-inch ceramic trophy glazed in gold.

The Gawad Kasarian logo designed by Patricia Ramos bears a sans serif typeface and the colors gold and deep purple, while the trophy designed by Jade Cruz Cabrera was inspired by Lakapati, the deity of fertility for the fields and crops.

The first Gawad Kasarian was participated in by GAD Committees of various UPD units and was hosted by College of Arts and Letters professors Olive Nieto and Marvin Olaes.