Zonta Club Cebu II hosts Teen Summit for gender equality, transformative leadership

CEBU CITY —More than 100 students from Mandaue City Science High School, Mandaue City School for the Arts, St. Theresa’s College, Our Lady of Joy Learning Center and ChildLink High School Cebu, accompanied by their respective teachers, attended the Teen Summit on gender equality and transformative leadership on November 25 at the DepEd Ecotech Center, Lahug, Cebu City organized by Zonta Club of Cebu II in partnership with Z Club of Childlink High School Cebu and MOVE Mandaue for the first day of the commemoration  of the 18 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

According to Zonta Club of Cebu II, the objective of the Teen Summit is to call to action for all students to become potent force in the campaign to end violence against women and children in schools and the promotion of gender equality through positive youth action.

Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, DepEd-7 Regional Director in his inspirational message said that hard work, dedication and commitment as necessary elements of success. He hopes that he is able to inspire others by his teachings, with a quote, “I will aspire to inspire before I expire”.

Janet Mananay, a professor at Cebu Normal University expounded on Transformative Leadership and the elements of Inspirational Leadership, with the acronym V-I-C-E.  Visionary, which means one must have clear direction of the future; Inspiring, meaning optimistic, inspired daily; Considerate caring, concerned; and Ethical—has integrity, promotes trust.

Childlink director, Ma. Teresa Tio said that an activity such as a teen summit, necessarily brings out leadership, team-building, problem-solving skills, creativity and open-mindedness.  “Such goals are in consonance to the aims of Z Club, namely, character building, leadership, and lending a helping hand to others,” Tio added.

Dr. Rhodora Bucoy, former Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), talked about “Transforming Gender Inequalities, Changing Lives: Towards a Gender-fair, Violence-free Inclusive Society.” 

Bucoy said gender transformative education unlocks the potential of learners in all diversity, contributes to ending harmful gender norms, attitudes, and practices, and transforms institutions to achieve a just, equal, and inclusive society.

That inequality in the home, in the community, and institutions exist should be recognized, and must be addressed and she cited the need for transformative thinking and achieving critical consciousness to recognize the truth in society, she said.

“Use your talents and idealism to help change misogynist norms and promote values founded on respect for human rights, respect for diversity, inclusivity, and democracy.  It is time to realize and translate into action the legal imperatives aimed at ending discrimination and men’s violence against women and girls,” Bucoy added.

She urged the students to be part of the challenge to rebuild a more equal and inclusive world where no one is left behind.

The workshop output demonstrated the beginning transformation of the young leaders, as conduits of change towards gender equality, as seen through their composed song, original dance, poem composition, and paintings. (Photos: Zonta Club Cebu II)