EGE 313: Exploring Gender, Society, and Legal Frameworks

• EGE 313 General Education Elective covers gender society

Gender

• Gender norms are produced through social institutions, interactions, and cultural products; they dictate expected societal behavior
• Gender identities pertain to how individuals perceive and present themselves in relation to gender norms
• Gender relations describe interactions with people and institutions based on sex and gender identity, shaping social dynamics in various settings

Legal Basis for Gender Studies

• CHED Memo No. 1 Series 2015 establishes policies and guidelines on Gender and Development
• CEDAW (1981) stands for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
• 1987 Constitution, Article II, Section 14 addresses gender equality
• RA 7192 and IRR 1992 is the Women in Development and Nation Building Act
• The Beijing Platform for Action (1995) outlines 12 critical areas of concern
• RA 9710, or the Magna Carta for Women (2009), is a comprehensive human rights law to eliminate discrimination

CHED Memorandum No. 1 Series 2015

• Gender and Development promotes gender equality and women's empowerment
• It acknowledges differing roles and needs of men and women
• Higher education plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality through mainstreaming GAD
• HEIs can foster inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students

Importance of CHED Memo No. 1 Series 2015

• Addresses gender inequality in HEIs, where women face discrimination despite being the majority
• Supports the fight for gender equality by activists to promote equal opportunities for women in HEIs and wider society
• Recognizes growing awareness of diversity and inclusivity, making policies like CHED Memo No. 1 necessary

Objectives of CHED Memo No. 1 Series 2015

• Ensures HEIs are gender-responsive, contributing to a just and equitable society
• Provides HEIs support to mainstream GAD into operations and programs
• Promotes gender awareness among students, faculty, and staff

Provisions of CHED Memo No. 1 Series 2015

• Includes gender-responsive curriculum and teaching methodologies
• Supports gender-inclusive research and extension programs
• Promotes gender-fair policies in governance, recruitment, promotion, and compensation
• Fosters gender-sensitive campus culture

Mechanisms for Monitoring GAD in HEIs

• Creation of Gender and Development Focal Points (GDFPs) in HEIs
• Development of GAD plans and budgets
• Regular gender audits

CEDAW (1981)

• CEDAW aims to promote gender equality and eliminate discrimination against women in all life areas
• It defines discrimination as any sex-based distinction impairing women's rights, adopted by the UN in 1979, effective 1981
• CEDAW's significance lies in its role as a comprehensive, legally binding instrument for women's rights promotion and protection
• CEDAW provides a comprehensive framework, sets an international standard, defines legal obligations, and ensures monitoring and accountability

1987 Constitution of the Philippines (Article II, Section 14)

• Recognizes women's role in nation-building and ensures fundamental equality before the law as well as protection and equal opportunity
• "The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men."
• "The State shall provide for the protection of working women by granting them working conditions conducive to their welfare and for the rights and opportunities equal to that of men."

Republic Act No. 7192 and IRR (1992) - Women in Development and Nation-Building Act

• State policy ensures women’s fundamental equality, rights, and opportunities
• NEDA ensures women participate in foreign aid, grants, and loans
• Women of legal age can act and enter contracts equally with men
• Women have equal admission to military schools

Republic Act 9710 or The Magna Carta of Women

• It promotes the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and equality for Filipino women including marginalized sectors
• It upholds CEDAW's anti-discrimination provisions
• Violence Against Women Desks are mandated in every barangay by local government
• Access to education, employment, economic rights, and protection from gender-based violence are equally provided for women
• Gender mainstreaming is applied to all government policies, programs, and projects

Psychosocial Dimensions of Sexuality

• Sexuality includes feelings, thoughts, attractions, and behaviors, and it includes sex-biological characteristics and Gender Identity - the personal sense of being male, female, or another gender
• Psychosocial factors like psychology and social environment, influence behavior and experiences
• Body (how society genders bodies), Identity (internal sense of gender), Social Expression are the three dimensions of gender
• Thoughts and beliefs impact attitudes, & decision-making; emotions can enhance or create conflict

Sexual Orientation

• Sexual orientation is a person's emotional and romantic attraction to others, separate from gender identity
• Heterosexual: Attraction to the opposite sex
• Homosexual: Attraction to the same sex
• Bisexual: Attraction to both sexes
• Pansexual: Attraction regardless of gender identity
• Asexual: Little to no attraction
• Genetics, hormones, cultural norms, upbringing, personal experiences and self-perception play a role in sexual orientation
• Internal struggle is present during self-discovery to recognize attraction

Social and Cultural Influences on Sexuality

• Gender roles influence expectations in relationships and society
• Modern views promote equality and diverse expression
• Society values shape attitudes towards sexuality
• Some embrace fluid identities while others enforce strict values

Stereotypes and Misconceptions

• LGBTQ+ is often misunderstood as a choice rather than inherent
• Bisexuality is a phase or indecisive
• Pansexuality is confused with bisexuality, but it includes attraction beyond the gender binary

Laws Protecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

• The SOGIE Equality Bill (Philippines) aims to ban discrimination on grounds of orientation, identity, and expression
• Anti-sexual harassment laws protect individuals from gender-based violence
• Discrimination in employment and housing and family rejection present challenges
• Mental health risks can be a consequence of societal pressure

Ways to Support Gender Inclusivity

• Respect people's pronouns and identities
• Encourage discussions in a safe space
• Challenge Misinformation
• Campaign for equal rights and implement non-discrimination policies

Sexual Harassment

• Any unwelcome sexual advance, request, or conduct creating a hostile or offensive environment.
• Jokes, explicit comments, rumors, threats are verball forms
• Non-verbal includes facial expressions, sharing explicit pictures, or posting inappropriate messages
• Unwanted behavior is physical harassment, such as touching, grabbing, or intimidating
• Favoritism at work, advances in educational institutes, and unwanted attention at home are all forms of sexual harassment

Consequences and Countering

• Anxiety, isolation, and loss of confidence, and dismissal from work are consequences
• Legal action should be taken
• Set direct boundaries and report to family and support people

Paraphilia

• Paraphilia is having atypical sexual interests or objects which can be not harmful in nature
• Exhibitionism involves exposing oneself in public
• Voyeurism is watching unsuspected individuals
• Fetishism involves attraction to inanimate objects or body parts
• Sexual Masochism and Sadism derive pleasure from hurting or being hurt
• Harmless: fetishism, consensual voyeurism, exhibitionism, sadomasochism
• Harmful: voyeurism, pedophilia, coercive sadism

The Role of Consent

• Consent must be verbal and given with full understanding
• Sexual activity without consent is considered harassment

Sexual Harassment Legal Framework

• Republic Act No. 7877 – Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (1995) Covers workplace, school, and training environments
• Republic Act No. 11313 – Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law, 2019): Aims to eliminates stalking, and cyber
• Republic Act No. 9710 – Magna Carta of Women (2009): Aims gender-based violence
• Labor Code of the Philippines (PD No. 442): requires employers to prevent discrimination and harassment

Prevention Strategies

• Respect boundaries
• Speak up against disrespectful behavior
• Create media representation
• Educate others and be aware
• Report to authorities
• PNP and NBI can assist and victims are empowered by getting assistance when needed

Limitations of Consent

• There is no consent when someone is in a higher position such as a boss, or is under threat
• Consent is not permissible when a person has a disability or is a minor
• Consent must be valid at all times and never assumed

Feminist Theory

• Is an outgrowth of the general movement to empower woman worldwide
• It's an understanding of the importance to aim to understand inequality
• Argues for the equal treatment of women
• Values of society should be fairly providing people equal rights and opportunities
• Providing the same resources or opportunities to everyone and focuses on equal rights and opportunities
• First wave = women suffrage; Second wave = sexuality, family; Third wave = strains

Kinds of Feminist Theory

• Liberal Feminism works within structure
• Marxist Feminism focuses on unequal of labor
• Socialist Feminism focuses on capitalism
• Postmodern Feminism focuses on women to change