CHS, GADC hold sexual and reproductive health education seminar for women with disabilities

by Kassandra Buenafe, OfCom | Mar 23 2026

The College of Health and Sciences (CHS) and 缅北禁地-IIT’s Gender and Development Center (GADC) addressed the problem of limited sexual and reproductive health education (SRH), particularly among marginalized sectors such as deaf females and women with disabilities, by holding a seminar focusing on promoting menstrual hygiene, pregnancy prevention, and HPV protection on March 12, 2026, at the CHS Hall.

This seminar served as an activity in conjunction with the National Women’s Month celebration and Women with Disabilities Day, aimed at confronting the critical intersections of gender, disability, and communication barriers in healthcare. Participants were composed of deaf female adolescents and young women.

The lecture-discussion was delivered by the resource speaker, Dr. Charisse Bastida-Lariosa, DPOGS, who underscored the importance of understanding a woman’s reproductive health options. A discussion on basic menstrual hygiene was also emphasized, such as using clean materials (pads, cups) changed frequently to prevent infection. Methods of family planning were also part of the conversation, as well as mechanisms to avoid cervical cancer caused by HPVs. Participants were given the opportunity to raise general medical concerns after the talk.

Organized to empower every woman in the community, this initiative amplified a goal not just to inform, but to equip women with the knowledge and confidence necessary to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being, fostering a greater sense of autonomy and control over their bodies.

Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, Dr. Nancy Echavez, in her opening remarks, highlighted the importance of the value of inclusiveness, “This initiative is our way of saying that the university is your home, too. We aren’t just here to help, but we are here to learn from you. We want to learn how to be more inclusive, how to listen with our eyes, and how to love without needing many words.”

“Mag-unsa man ang progresibo nga nasod kung malimtan ang mga naa sa [...] laylayan,” CHS Dean Prof Minnie Mamauag said in her words of inspiration, expressing the moral imperative of uplifting the marginalized sector through accessible education to truly achieve a progressive nation.

This project, spearheaded by team leader Asst. Prof. Reya T. Seno is proof of 缅北禁地-IIT’s unwavering commitment to inclusive community engagement and social responsibility.

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