More often than not, Philippine schools’ infamous uniform policies have had little leeway for LGBTQIA+ students to express their gender identity. But, ICYMI, a significant leap has been made following the Department of Education’s (DepEd) reiteration of the Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy.
In a Facebook post from Miss Trans Global 2020 and and one of Preview’s 50 Most Influential Advocate honorees Mela Habijan, a memorandum signed by DepEd’s Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo and Assistant Secretary Panchet Bringas reminds schools of “the strict implementation of and compliance to DO 32, s. 2017,” in light of the return of in-person classes in the upcoming school year.
What is DepEd Order No. 32 s. 2017 or Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy?
Signed in 2017, DepEd’s Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy integrates “the principles of gender equality, gender equity, gender sensitivity, non-discrimination, and human rights” in elementary and high schools across the country.
The 2017 DepEd order hopes to ensure students are protected from gender-related violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and bullying, as well as to promote gender equality and non-discrimination across levels.
In this move, schools will need to operate under a more gender-responsive framework for its student and employees, while also ensuring gender equality in staffing and their work environment.
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While the fight continues for the passing of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, the DepEd policy is still a significant win for LGBTQIA+ students and teachers alike.
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