The Department of Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR) has included a restroom for LGBTQIA+ students in their Project HANDOG (Hygienic and Opulent Restrooms for Girls) kay Juana sa Cordillera plus LGBQIA+ pa, the first-ever inauguration will take place on March 20, 2023, at Ubao National High School Aguinaldo, Ifugao.
Sasha Joseph L. Daganos, DepEd-CAR Officer-in-Charge of the Human Resource Development Division and part of the LGBTQIA+ community, presented three Gender and Development initiatives—REGADNITION, HANDOG (Hygienic AND Opulent Restrooms for Girls) KAY JUANA PLUS LGBTQIA+ PA and KALINGA (KARAMAY, LINGAP AT ARUGA).
The DepEd-CAR shared its initiatives during the 2022 Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System Assembly last November 2022.
The current initiative Project HANDOG kay Juana, has been expanded to include the construction of restrooms for LGBTQIA+ students.
There will be two rooms for teenage girls and one for LGBTQIA+ that can accommodate two to three students.
Daganos emphasized the need for separate restrooms for LGBQIA+ students to demonstrate inclusivity and to prevent discrimination and bullying in the highland schools.
“In DepEd-CAR we are into inclusion or inclusivity, kung hindi natin gagawin ngayon? Kailan pa?” (In DepEd-CAR, we are into inclusion or inclusivity, if we’re not doing it now, then when?).
She also claimed that Mountain Province and Benguet school divisions are expected to have declared their intent to construct more comfort rooms for the LGBTQ community.
Initially, the project was under RM No. 324, s. 2022, also known as the 2022 Regional Brigada Eskwela Kick-Off Ceremony Cum Launching of Project Handog kay Juana sa Cordillera, was held last July 20, 2022.
The purpose of PROJECT HANDOG KAY JUANA is to provide young female students with hygienic and opulent restrooms, particularly during their monthly period.
DepEd-CAR envisions the construction of model school restroom facilities with ample room for female students to rest and recover from menstrual pain.
The project ensures menstrual hygiene management strategies that work to restore the dignity and self-worth of schoolgirls in the area.
Along with Project HANDOG, a program implementing REGADNITION (Recognizing Gender and Development Notable Implementers with Distinction), serves as an award-giving body for the GAD Program and acknowledges the efforts made by the Schools Division Offices to mainstream gender in their own offices.
Recognizing Empowered Women, Gender Sensitive Male Personnel, and LGBTQIA+ DepEd Cordillera Personnel for their outstanding achievement in addressing gender issues in their respective work areas.
Furthermore, the KALINGA initiative, which stands for KAramay, LINGap AT Aruga, an Expression of Protective Care and Compassion, aims to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to build a strong response system to alarming gender-based violence faced by young women Cordilleran learners in all contexts.
In honor of Women’s Month, DepEd-CAR continues to promote gender equality and a gender-responsive workplace by sharing best practices on gender mainstreaming. By Via Alyssa Fronda
