By Francheska Griño
Even though the K-12 system included Contemporary Issues in the curriculum for junior and senior high schools, discussions about sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are still proven to be outdated and underwhelming, a gender equality advocate said in an online webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 10 .
According to Amber Quiban, secretary-general of the Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY), other schools, for some reason, did not include SOGIE-based issues on their Contemporary Issues subject.
Furthermore, members of PANTAY Pilipinas who took the subject Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH) in their K-12 program all disagreed when asked if the health topic of the subject provided them sufficient information regarding SOGIESC.
“Most of us still rely on academic institutions as the primary source of information diba? Kaya nga kung pangit yung kultura ng edukasyon sa paaralan natin, medyo hindi tayo makikinabang sakanya,” Quiban added saying we cannot fault people who believes in misinformation.
She also emphasized the importance of institutionalizing SOGIE Education for people to validate every information they perceive.
“Yung SOGIE Education, hindi siya nagtatapos sa pag-dedefine lang, kasama rin diyan yung pag alam natin sa mga current issues na kinakaharap ng mga gender and sexuality marginalized individuals.” she concluded.
PANTAY Pilipinas and other gender rights groups continue to participate in movements that will push forward the SOGIE Equality Bill in Congress.
