Women and children are vulnerable to abuse and violence.” This is the contention of Dr. Jose Lozano Pascua during the Pasay City West High School Gender and Development (GAD) Seminar on Safeguarding Students and Women’s Rights on Gender-Based Violence for School Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel held on Dec. 15, 2023 at Philippine School for the Deaf Gymnasium.

A statistician and researcher, Pascua delved into issues concerning not only women and children but also couples who have undergone violent experiences. The lawyer stressed, “Incest, rape, and other forms of domestic violence are depressing issues. Hindi ito dapat iniiwasan.” He then emphasized that battered wife syndrome is the highest form of psychological effect among battered women. Having said this, the lawyer proceeded in explaining the coverage of the RA 9262: the Anti-

Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 otherwise known as the VAWC act. He explained that the VAWC covers more than the relationship of male and female but it also covers the relationship between the mem bers of LGBTQ+ community. He emphasized that the provisions of VAWC can only be applied if the relationship between the abused person and the one who committed the abusive acts is established.

The school principal, Mr. Agapito Teodoro N. Manaog gave his welcome remarks before the talk of Pascua. The school head explained the essence of gender in the workplace. He said, “Gender has something to do with our well-being” while explaining that our way of dealing with others and understanding our colleagues affect how we work. The principal likewise emphasized the importance of following the golden rule. Prior to the year-end GAD seminar, a separate GAD activity for the students was done at PCWHS AVR on Nov. 8, 2023. Class president of each section attended the said seminar.

Resource persons were invited to talk on varied topics. To wit: Ms. Sheirene D. Raquipo talked about Child Protection Policy while Mrs. Hannah Ruth David and Mrs. Piedad Diola discussed Positive Discipline and Advocacy Campaign respectively. Mr. Benedict M. Angeles, Pasay City SK Federation president gave his testimonial about student leadership. Mrs. Madelyn Buenaobra emceed the event.