Written by: Michelle Joyce Quitaleg and Gianna Rose Basilio
The Junior Financial Executives of the University of Baguio (UB-JFINEX) hosted a seminar entitled, “Breaking Barriers: Fostering Gender Sensitivity in the Workplace,” on April 11, 2025, at the UB Centennial Hall to raise awareness of gender roles and educate participants on promoting equality in a workplace for all individuals.
The event began with a lively and engaging ice breaker that tested the participants with gender-related questions, such as identifying the meaning of LGBTQIA+ and recalling the colors of the pride flag.
The seminar centered around the importance of inclusivity in professional settings with interactive discussions led by Dr. Rolando “Dem” Mina Mamaat, a registered psychologist and a licensed professional teacher who holds a PhD in Educational Management and dual master’s degrees in Special Education and Psychology–all earned with honors.
The keynote presentation focused on strategies and paradigm shifts in the workplace. One approach is leadership commitment and advocacy, where top management executives should lead by example in promoting gender equality and publicly supporting gender inclusivity. Another vital strategy is unconscious bias training, which ensures that hiring and promotion practices are objective, unbiased, and gender-neutral. For instance, using structured interviews where identical questions are asked in the same order for all candidates and focus on core competencies, help eliminate gender-based biases. Additionally, implementing equal opportunity policies which includes regular salary audits to ensure equal pay for equal work, and providing parental leave for both men and women is a crucial approach. Furthermore, creating mentorship and sponsorship programs to support women’s career growth, celebrating their achievements, and recognizing women leaders as role models, were emphasized as important as the other strategies. Lastly, regularly tracking and reporting progress on gender diversity efforts are essential to creating sustainable workplaces.
During the Q&A session, participants actively engaged in meaningful discussions, particularly on ongoing conversations about gender sensitivity and the importance of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
The adage, “Shared grief is half grief and shared joy a double joy,” echoed in Dr. Mamaat’s talk, emphasizing the transformative power of group empathy in tearing down inequities. Dr. Mamaat highlighted that creating an inclusive workplace is not solely about adjusting policies–it is also about cultivating an environment where coworkers genuinely support each other. She illustrated this through workplace double standards, where men are usually criticized for showing vulnerability, such as crying, which is commonly deemed as a sign of “weakness,” while women are frequently labeled “too aggressive” for being confident and self-assured. These disparities, rooted in long-held stereotypes, hinder true equality. By reframing sensitivity as a shared journey or grief and joy, Dr. Mamaat challenged participants to see inclusivity not as a checklist, but as an ongoing collective experience.
All in all, this seminar directly contributes to the attainment of SDG 5: Gender Equality through inspiring the participants to break down the walls of gender stereotyping and advocate for inclusivity. Moreover, the discussion on equal policies and unconscious bias training aligned with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting fair workplace practices. These strategies lead to a more equitable and productive workforce, ensuring that all individuals have access to decent and meaningful employment opportunities.
