14/09/2026
๐๐๐๐ช๐ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐๐ฒ
Young people and community advocates gathered for KADWA: Understanding Gender, Embracing Identity, Building Inclusive Communities on September 12 at Focus Cafe, Western Buyagan, Barangay Poblacion, La Trinidad, to discuss gender, identity, inclusion, and gender-related concerns.
The Gender and Development (GAD) initiative was organized through a collaboration among the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Poblacion, La Trinidad, BSU Supreme Student Government (SSG), BSU College of Information Sciences Student Government (CIS-SG), and Bahaghari Metro Baguio.
The morning session featured discussions on SOGIE, Violence Against Women (VAW), and anti-sexual harassment, giving participants a broader understanding of gender, identity, discrimination, and the different forms of violence and harassment that affect individuals and communities.
The afternoon program featured a panel discussion with representatives from youth and student leadership, education and community, and LGBTQIA+ and grassroots advocacy. The panelists shared perspectives drawn from their respective experiences and sectors, discussing gender-related challenges, inclusion, representation, and the role of young people in creating safer and more equitable spaces.
Participants were also given the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists through an open forum, raising questions and reflections on issues affecting their schools, organizations, and communities.
The event concluded with the reading and signing of the KADWA Manifesto, through which participants expressed their commitment to promoting gender equality, respecting diverse identities and experiences, challenging discrimination and gender-based violence, and contributing to safer and more inclusive communities.
Through KADWA, organizers sought to move the conversation on gender beyond awareness by encouraging participants to carry the discussion into the communities and spaces they are part of.
๐ธ Andrew G. Catayao III & Kevin Claud D. Beray
