It supports research, training, and outreach on and for women aligned with UP’s vision of academic and operational excellence. The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc. It has helped and supported UPCWGS conceptualize and implement its numerous advocacy, research, training and outreach programs. Over the years, the UPCWSFI has initiated research, training, and a
dvocacy projects, supported by the different organizations such as UNIFEM Bangkok, UNICEF, CIDA, UNFPA and World Bank and many others. These trailblazing research projects like "Intrafamily and Household Violence," "Women-Centered Participatory Research and Development for Women’s Health: A Women’s Consortium Project" and "A Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for Integrating Reproductive Health and Rights Principles into Sexuality Education Curricula and Training/Advocacy Designs (A UP-CWS, UPCWSFI and Ford Foundation-assisted Project)" have carved a niche for the UPCWSFI in terms of expertise and commitment. Holistic and participatory in approach, the feminist methodologies used in these projects are being replicated in various programs and projects by GOs, non-governmental organizations, and other research agencies. Outreach and community projects such as the community healing program, and the services of the Kalinga Day Care Center and the Crisis Counseling are specifically designed to help create enabling conditions that can assist women as well as children reach their full potential and help create peaceful communities. Moreover, these activities encourage the participation of men, promote gender sensitivity and help establish a more positive and compassionate society. The UPCWSFI also undertakes publication of resource materials and information, education and communication dissemination through advocacy and sponsorship of fora and round-table-discussions that include recent burning gender issues. The Foundation together with the UP Center for Women's Studies has produced resource materials useful for researchers, academicians and organizations that advocate for the advancement of women’s rights and welfare. The latest of which are:
(1) Engendering the Philippine Judiciary, a UNIFEM Bangkok supported project shows the awareness of judges and justices on gender and the use of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in judicial practice. This book is part of the Gender Justice Awards project which aims to recognize judges who rendered gender-sensitive decisions in cases of violence against women and girl-children; and
(2) The Davide Court and Its Contributions to Gender and Women’s Rights, a compendium and analysis of Supreme Court decisions highlighting the strides in gender rights in the Philippines. It is a sourcebook of cases helpful to judges and lawyers when dealing with family law, rape, and other forms of violence against women. These activities help advance the cause and empowerment of women in building a better and safer place to live. Mission/Vision:
The Foundation’s vision and mission reflect the belief that academic and scholastic pursuits can only take root if they are applied directly and not isolated from action-oriented activities that can help women deal with their problems and speed up their self-actualization. Objectives:
To create and sharpen awareness of women and other gender-related issues;
To encourage and strengthen teaching, research, extension, and advocacy programs on and for women;
To strengthen and vitalize Women’s Studies multi- and interdisciplinary programs;
To initiate the integration of gender concepts in academic curricula;
To promote incentives for, and recognition of, women’s achievements and contributions to national development and gender consciousness; and
To provide an organization umbrella within the University of the Philippines for university-wide activities in women’s studies. Programs/Activities:
The UPCWSFI engage in activities that encourage and implement research, advocacy, extension and outreach programs on and for women; establish scholarships and professorial/research chairs in Women’s Studies and Gender and Development (GAD); conduct, sponsor, or underwrite seminars, training programs and conferences towards the advancement of women/gender development; publish and disseminate research outputs of projects undertaken; assist in strengthening the library and resource collection on women/gender studies; and manage and/or administer grants and donations of cash resources entrusted or given to the foundation for the foregoing purposes. Field(s) of Specialization:
Women’s Studies
Gender Studies
Reproductive Health
Gender and Development
Women in Development
Health Social Science
