𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔-𝐆𝐀𝐃 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧, 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭

𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔-𝐆𝐀𝐃 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧, 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭

Strengthening the initiatives for gender equality and women’s empowerment in the University, Dr. Ma Theresa B. Nardo, Director of Gender and Development (GAD) office of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) joined the 2nd Southeast Asian Women’s Summit and the 8th National Women’s Summit on 2-3 March at the Innovation Center of Miriam College in Quezon City.

Organized by the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) of Miriam College, the summit gathered women leaders, scholars, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Southeast Asia. The event carries the theme, “ASEAN Leadership and Regional Cooperation: Where are the Women?’ and includes plenary dialogues and parallel sessions that discussed women’s roles in ASEAN leadership, governance, and peace-building.

Dr. Nardo was joined by Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel, External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA) Director, and Ms. Erika R. Prado, GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) member. They participated in the collaborative discussions led by speakers from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children.

International scholars and women advocates also talked about women’s leadership, feminist knowledge, and regional collaboration on gender equality.

The said event helped the University to strengthen its regional collaboration on gender equality, women’s leadership and policy engagement across Southeast Asia. Through the participation of its GAD representatives, TAU gains insights from regional experts and institutions that can help enhance gender-responsive programs, research, and community initiatives within the University.

“The summit called for leadership and cooperation among women, and we had been asked where our women leaders were today. Our response echoes our determination to take action on issues that beset our communities. This happens when we no longer identify problems but work on solutions amid the challenges in the organizations where each leader belongs,” said Dr. Nardo.

Dr. Nardo also highlighted that the summit provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and reinforce collaboration with regional gender advocates.