SDG 5 - GENDER EQUALITY

The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) steadfastly champions Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. As an institution certified by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as a National Training Center for Gender Sensitivity, UNP integrates gender equality into its core functions of Instruction, Research, and Extension. Through its dedicated Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), the University actively works to dismantle barriers, eliminate discrimination, and foster an inclusive environment where all individuals have equal opportunities to lead and thrive.

In 2024, UNP’s commitment was demonstrated through extensive awareness campaigns, robust community engagement, empowerment initiatives, and key policy advancements.

Source: UNP Annual Report (A.R.) 2024 – http://bit.ly/4ow3kla posted at the UNP Website

A. Representation of Women Receiving Degrees

A primary indicator of gender equality in education is the successful graduation of female students from degree-granting programs. In the 2023-2024 Academic Year, the University of Northern Philippines conferred a total of 3,820 degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, Medicine, and Law).

Of this total, 2,366 graduates were female, representing approximately 62% of all degree recipients. This majority represents a significant achievement in terms of access to and completion of higher education for women at UNP. The total cohort of 3,820-degree recipients also included 727 honor graduates (3 Summa Cum Laude, 85 Magna Cum Laude, 566 Cum Laude, and 73 With Honors).

Percentage of Male and Female graduates from degree-granting programs.

UNP is committed to ensuring access to education for all and tracks the proportion of students who are the first in their families to attend University—a key indicator of social mobility.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, 4,562 new students began a degree program. Of these, 955 were identified as first-generation students.

  • A total of 572 of these first-generation students were female.
  • This means women comprised nearly 60% (572 of 955) of all first-generation entrants, underscoring UNP’s critical role in providing educational access and upward mobility to women in the region.
  • Furthermore, of the 2,651 total women starting a degree in 2024, 21.6% were first-generation students.

 Gender breakdown of first-generation students who began a degree in 2024

UNP demonstrates a strong and tangible commitment to gender equality in leadership, with women holding a significant majority of senior academic management positions in 2024, based on the official list of University Officials.

  • Deans: Of the 17 academic colleges, 11 are led by female Deans (65%).
  • Vice Presidents: 1 of the 3 Vice Presidents is female (VP for Research and Extension).
  • Administrative Council: Women also hold key leadership roles across the University’s administrative and support offices, including 5 of 7 Director/Head positions under the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

This representation at the highest levels of decision-making ensures that female perspectives are integral to the University’s strategic direction.

Senior Academic Staff

The number of senior academic staff includes personnel holding academic ranks from Assistant Professor to Professor, as well as research staff such as non-teaching “fellows” and postdoctoral researchers.

In 2024, UNP’s senior academic staff totaled 314 members. Of these, 169 were female, comprising 53.8% of the total. This demonstrates a clear female majority in senior academic and research roles, highlighting the University’s success in supporting and advancing women’s educational careers.

Gender breakdown of the 314 senior academic staff members in 2024.

The University’s commitment to SDG 5 is evident in a wide array of programs, projects, and activities spearheaded by the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD) in collaboration with various colleges and student organizations.

Advocacy and Ending Violence Against Women (VAW)

A primary focus for 2024 was the comprehensive 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW). This university-wide initiative brought together multiple departments for a series of impactful events.

 

  • Legal Empowerment: The Open University and CGAD launched a symposium on laws to end VAW. At the same time, the College of Law and other units held a specific symposium on GAD-related laws for student leaders. The University also extended lectures on the Safe Spaces Act to Persons Deprived of Liberty.
  • Creative Advocacy: The campaign featured creative expressions to raise awareness, including the launch of an original advocacy song titled “Matapang,” a large-scale “ZumVAW” dance event, a “Juana Film Fest,” and a stage play by the POLIS student organization.
  • Community Mobilization: The CGAD and BA Political Science program collaborated on the campaign, and an “Orange Your Facade” contest was held to visualize support.
Empowerment, Leadership, and Recognition

UNP celebrated and actively fostered women’s empowerment and leadership throughout the year, beginning with a university-wide kick-off for National Women’s Month.

  • Celebration and Advocacy: The month concluded with a forum and the launch of an advocacy song to mark the celebration’s end. The CGAD director also raised public awareness through radio guestings.
  • Recognition of Excellence: The University’s efforts were nationally recognized, winning the Best Gender and Development (GAD) Corner. Furthermore, UNP faculty members received individual recognition, with one being certified as a member of the National GAD Resource Pool and others receiving awards for their contributions to education and psychology.
  • Economic Empowerment: UNP formed a key partnership with TESDA and a women’s league to provide skills training. The College of Business Administration and Accountancy also held gender-harmonized skills training on fish and meat processing.

A landmark achievement in 2024 was the launch of a gender-neutral uniform policy by the University Student Council, a significant step toward ending discrimination and fostering an inclusive campus environment.

  • Integrating GAD in Curriculum: The College of Teacher Education (CTE) actively embedded GAD principles into its instruction, holding a GAD workshop for the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) program and gearing future educators for inclusive learning in the new MATATAG curriculum.
  • Promoting Inclusivity: The Open University and CGAD held a dedicated symposium on LGBTQ+ advocacy, promoting inclusivity in education and challenging traditional gender dynamics.

As a PCW-certified National Training Center, UNP’s CGAD conducted numerous trainings and extension programs.

  • Gender Sensitivity Training (GST): The university provided crucial GST to diverse groups, including health workers, teachers from four different schools, and faculty and students at Ilocos Sur Community College (ISCC).
  • Community Outreach: GAD programs were extended to local communities, including a Vigan barrio, Cabugao, and Pantay Fatima.
  • Gender-Responsive Governance: The University Extension Office shared the GeRL (Gender-Responsive LGU) assessment tool to promote gender-responsive local governance.
  • Intersectional Topics: UNP also addressed intersecting issues, such as gender-focused health (cervical cancer awareness and breastfeeding rooms) and the vital role of women in environmental conservation.

This table lists the public accountability and communication artifacts for the activities documented in 2024.

 
Activity/Content Title Unit Website Link Facebook Post Link
Orange Your Facade contest CGAD N/A Facebook Post
MARCH IS WOMEN’S MONTH! -1 UNP N/A Facebook Post
UNP Today: Women’s Month Kick-off UNP N/A Facebook Post
MARCH IS WOMEN’S MONTH! – 2 UNP N/A Facebook Post
UNP In the News: Dr. Vonnavic Agad of CGAD joins radio program CGAD N/A Facebook Post
UNP Advocacy: Dr. Arce and Dr. Bello discuss cervical cancer awareness CMED N/A Facebook Post
Home Economics Day celebrates gender dynamics in the family UNP Article Link Facebook Post
Forum, launch of advocacy song mark end of women’s month celebration UNP Article Link Facebook Post
NSO, JCI-Candon spearhead symposium on women empowerment UNP Article Link Facebook Post
The University of Northern Philippines clinched the Best Gender and Development (GAD) Corner as part of the 2024 National Women’s Month celebration. CGAD N/A Facebook Post
UNP, TESDA, women’s league pledge partnership UNP, TESDA, Women’s League Article Link Facebook Post
Lectures on Safe Spaces Act, stress management extended to PDLs UNP Article Link Facebook Post
CGAD conducts gender sensitivity training for health workers CGAD Article Link Facebook Post
Lecture through CGAD marks Women’s Month in a Vigan barrio CGAD Article Link Facebook Post
Call for participants: Gender Sensitivity Training CGAD N/A Facebook Post
Four schools join GAD for teachers seminar CGAD Article Link Facebook Post
ISCC faculty, students receive gender sensitivity training from DSSP, CGAD DSSP, CGAD Article Link Facebook Post
Vigan barangay to benefit from GAD programs CGAD Article Link Facebook Post
UEO shares GeRL assessment tool orientation for gender-responsive local governance UEO Article Link Facebook Post