Newsletter Title
Jose Rizal University
Volume 3 Issue 1
T
he United Nations have identified and declared a
particular goal for sustainable development ex-
clusive for gender equality, which we all know
as well enshrined as SDG 5. To achieve gender
equality and empower all women and girls, all the
members of the community must work together.
While it is far from realization, and the road to take to
fully experience a gender-friendly and inclusive com-
munity, teachers and leaders shall find way. We have
been put in a biased context of being weak, being an
object, and being a subject. Education is a powerful
tool that we can utilize in transforming the society
SDG 5 or making gender equality a reality by
2030 requires urgent action to eliminate the many
root causes of discrimination that still curtail wom-
en’s rights in private and public spheres (Source:
www.unwomen.org). More lamentably, there 49 coun-
tries still lack laws protecting women from domestic
violence, while 39 bar equal inheritance rights for
daughters and sons. Based on data from 87 coun-
tries, 1 in 5 women and girls under the age of 50 will
have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by
an intimate partner within the last 12 months.
This is the primary reason why Education In-
ternational (EI) and all of its women development,
gender-based advocacy agencies and groups are mo-
bilized to respond to the challenges post by conven-
tional communities and cultures. In response and in
alignment of this principle, Education International
Asia-Pacific Region conveyed strong and clear mes-
sage to direct all of their efforts towards the promo-
tion of women, girls and so with the LGBTI group.
During the 8th EI Asia-Pacific Regional Conference held
in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 2018 October 8 to 11,
teachers and union leaders from 27 countries crafted
resolution which seeks to improve conditions for eve-
ryone in education and at work regardless of gender
contextualizing spectrum of human rights as inaliena-
ble rights for all.
. As reported, women do 2.6 times more
Education International
January—September 2018
unpaid care and domestic work than men. We keep
on learning so that we can keep teaching. We make
night a day. We treat our students
like our own children. We care.
.
We exert twice much of our own
strength to keep going even things
are uncertain and tough. We create
our own opportunities when the
male-dominated societies do not al-
low sharing these with us. Most of
our women leaders mustered enough courage to
question the status quo in leadership roles frequently
and vastly occupied by men. These are the stories we
often hear from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and
Cambodia where women had really endured struggles
in making their role and importance to the society
recognized,
. The freedom of deciding for ourselves
based on our own will because we are women is a
reason to celebrate. In our hands lies the power of
our collective minds to take more pro-active position
in a turbulent world. Our dignity as human beings is
our contribution to nation building and global peace.
. We use education to liber-
ate learners from ignorance. We fuse our soul to our
body to make them stronger and better. We use our
words to inspire as these are more efficient and pow-
erful than silence. We speak our mind. Women teach-
ers and leaders do not just adapt to changes, we cre-
ate them.
SDG 5 is within our reach. The ASEAN Wom-
en’s Network will be there wherever every woman will
be. After all, the essence of
ASEAN WOMEN’S NETWORK NEWSLETTER
ACT- Philippines
(Alliance of Concerned Teachers)
Island Wide Training of Trainers
Conducted in Different Regions
ACT Philippines on
the second year of imple-
menting its project under the
ASEAN Women’s Network –
Philippines, the three island-
wide Training of Trainers on
the use of the Module on
Gender Equality – Under-
standing its Historical and
Structural Contexts was held
last May 2018. The island-
wide trainings wereconduct-
ed in collaboration with the
AWN-Philippine Affiliates:
Federation of Free Workers
(FFW), Samahang Mangga-
gawang Pilipino - National
Alliance of Teachers and
Office Workers (SMP-
NATOW) and Teachers Or-
ganization of the Philippine
Public Sector (TOPPS) in
partnership with Education
International (EI) and
Lärarförbundet.
The first island-
wide training was held in
Baguio City, Philippines on
May 4-6, 2018 and participat-
ed in by delegates of AWN-
Philippine affiliates from the
regions of the Luzon island.
The first day of the
training was highlighted by
a press conference on bully-
ing and an outdoor activity
denouncing bullying and all
its forms: physical, verbal,
social, cyber and bullying
done by no less than the
State. The action with the
Theme: “Stand up and Speak
Out Against Bullying” is in
solidarity with the simulta-
neous International Celebra-
tion Against Bullying by 25
countries across the globe
including America, Australia
and United Kingdom every
4th of May as declared by the
United Nations.
This was followed
by the Mindanao-wide train-
ing held in Golden Stallion
Hotel, Cagayan de Oro, on
May 16-18, 2018 and the Vi-
sayas-wide in Schoenstatt
Retreat House, Talisay City,
Cebu on May 23-25, 2018.
In the 2015 Global
Gap Report, the Philippines
made it to top 10 in the
world and the only Asian
country which was ranked
high in gender equality.
However, there are still some
reports that women are dis-
criminated and unempow-
ered. Gargantuan
tasks still have to
be done, especial-
ly among the vul-
nerable groups
not equally bene-
fitted by the gains
enjoyed by other
women locally
and globally.
continued on page 8
Page 2
Educator - legislator keeps working
for longer maternity leave
M
otherhood and child-rearing are part of nation building
therefore the government must prioritize the increase on the
days of maternity leave from 60 days (normal delivery) up
to 78 days (caesarian operation) to 100 days.
As a representative/legislator for teachers and the education
sector and as an educator herself, Representative France Castro is an
advocate of this proposal because 80% of teachers are women. Act
Teachers Party-list is one of the principal authors and the most ardent
advocates for the passage of House Bill 6399. It was later on substituted
by House Bill 4113 which is the consolidated version including the other
15 bills proposing the lengthening of the maternity leave. Castro be-
lieves that the enactment of the measure is necessary to protect the
maternal health and postnatal health care of women employed in both
the government service and private sector, as well as the welfare of the
child. This measure also seeks to uplift the plight of working women in
the country, enabling them to take care of their newborn child while
still pursuing their work or career.
Currently, the bill is in the plenary for second reading and
sponsorship. Prior to that, the House Committee on Women and Gen-
der Equality has endorsed the measure for plenary approval. HB 4113
seeks to increase the maternity leave period to 100 days with pay and an
option to extend to an additional 30 days without pay for female work-
ers in the government service and private sector.
Based on the deliberations, the current maternity leave is
extremely inadequate and considered as the shortest maternity leave in
the whole world as per the International Labor Organization (ILO)
convention. The proposal further assures the security of tenure of fe-
male workers and emphasizes that maternity leave shall not be used as
basis for demotion in employment or termination. It allows transfer to a
parallel position or reassignment from one organizational unit to anoth-
er in the same agency provided that it shall not involve a reduction in
rank, status or salary.
In an event organized by the Philippine Commission on
Women last October 18, 2016, Rep. Castro was named as the champion
of Maternity Leave. She joined fellow lawmakers and advocates in the
symbolic statement of support to the Women's Priority Legislative
Agenda.
Contributed by:
Bro. Raymond Basilio
Secretary General—ACT Philippines
 Volume 3 Issue 1 January—September 2018
P G R I - INDONESIA
(Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia)
EDUCATION IN THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ERA 4.0
"We must be able to read the direction of the times," Sri
Mulyani Indonesian Finance Minister said at the Public Dialogue and
PB PGRI's Halal Bihalal at Gedung Guru, Jakarta (10/07). This activi-
ty was also attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Edu-
cation and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Director General of Technolo-
gy and Higher Education Resources Ali Gufron, , and Head of PB
PGRI Unifah Rosyidi. This activity is held on the cooperation of PB
PGRI, Kompas, and Ministry of Education and Culture.
The era of industrial revolution 4.0 is characterized by the
utilization of the internet almost in all lines of life. The era of techno-
logical, information and communication progress (ICT) facilitates,
accelerates, and simplifies jobs that were difficult and time-
consuming.
This condition demands a world revolution in education in
all its aspects, especially the mastery of ICT. Indonesian education
should prepare prospective experts in this field. In addition to all
students in every department must be ICT literate, strengthening ICT
The rise of PGRI Women in East Java
W
ith a passion to improve the capacity of PGRI mem-
bers, on 30-31 March 2018 at Garden Palace hotel Su-
rabaya, a workshop has been carried out capacity
building activities and leadership of PGRI and prepa-
ration of establishment of PGRI Woman Special Board of districts /
cities in East Java.
This activity was attended by secretaries of women em-
powerment from 32 districts / cities in East Java. This activity was
originally part of the capacity building activities of LKBH, DKGI,
APKS and women empowerment board. The first day of workshop
was about graphology and hypno teaching while the second day
was PGRI members’ capacity reinforcement in each board.
In the session of women's empowerment, activities began
with advanced leadership materials followed by preparation for the
formation of special board of PGRI women. The event went smooth-
ly and warmly, the participants, mostly women secretary of em-
powerment in each district / city, were also very enthusiastic in
Page 3
Vocational school, and universities is a necessity.
Four Cs in the 21st century education should not only focus
on memorization and textbooks. Critical thinking, creativity, com-
munication, and collaboration should also be developed. Students in
the class are trained to solve humanitarian problems from simple to
complex; from the surrounding problems to the problems of the
world community; from using simple to sophisticated equipment.
Critical culture has been grown since elementary school by provok-
ing students to answer: why this happened and what are the solu-
tions.
A culture of critical thinking, collaboration, and good com-
munication will produce works and innovations that benefit life.
Students are challenged to become inventors not innovators of other
people's work. The student paradigm is changed from consumer to
producer. Today can be a consumer but one day must produce their
own work. Creative students are born by creative teachers. Accord-
ing to Jusuf Kalla, "reliable human resource is the key to innovation".
Teachers are the key to educational innovation. Teachers must be
competent and have integrity. "Integrity is a value that is not traded,"
Sri Mulyani said. This competence is obtained through lifelong learn-
ing through a variety of resources that are of minimal importance.
While integrity is something that must be fought without tireless and
unyielding. The temptation to always violate religious and social
norms will continue to be experienced by humans throughout their
lives. According to Unifah Rosyidi, "Teachers must improve their
competencies so they can prepare human resources who are ready to
face the current disruptive era". Teacher's salary must be good be-
cause of the principle of professionalism, which means that not eve-
ryone can be a teacher. One must take special education and training
to become a teacher. The teacher must be prosperous because of the
important task for the progress of the nation. According to Jusuf
Kalla, "prosperity gave birth to good teaching".
following all the sessions facilitated by Ibu Dwi Ratnawati and
Lailatul Musyarofah.
In the question and answer session, the queries revolved
around the technical issues of implementing and establishing of a
special board for the empowerment of women from the formation
procedure to funding.
continue on page 8
 ASEAN WOMEN’S NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 4

STU - Malaysia ACTIVITY UPDATES

(Sarawak Teachers Union)

Launching of Anti Bullying Campaign by Sarawak Teachers’ Union

S arawak Teachers’ Union (STU) had organised the

Anti-bullying Campaign on 18 August 2018 and
attended by 52 participants. The participants con-
sisted of teachers from all the different divisions in
Sarawak. They are either primary schools or sec-
ondary schools teachers. Also present during the
functions were all the principal officers of Sarawak
Teachers’ Union and the the District Education of-
ficers from Kuching, Pedawan and Lundu districts.
The Deputy Director of Education, Tuan Haji Abang
Mat Ali bin Abang Masagus was invited to officiate
the launching ceremony. Car stickers were printed Participants in the attentive mode
and were given out to all the participants after
the launching ceremony to enable them to bring cipline cases in the government schools are report-
back to their respective divisions to run the cam- ed to the Ministry of Education through the online
paign at their division level. system. In school, the reporting are usually done by
the school discipline teachers while the reporting is
monitored by the Senior Assistant of students Af-
T he main objective of this seminar is to create
awareness among the school teachers on the
issue of bullying in schools. From this seminar, STU
fairs. STU will surely continue to support the cam-
paign of anti-bullying while even there is no ex-
also hopes to achieve the objectives to empower treme cases that happen in the school.
victims in terms of action to be taken when faced
with bully and to highlight the best practices in
handling bullies in school.

A fter the launching, the participants attended a

talk delivered by sub-inspector on Anti-
bullying. The participants were informed how to
deal with bully cases and steps that a school need
to do if they faced bullying problems in schools. The
Anti-bullying campaign launching received a very
good responds from the members. The participants
are keen to go back to the division to spread the
news to the other teachers.

A ccording to statistics, bullying cases in Sarawak

has reduced since last year as reported by the
Deputy Director of Education during his opening
Car stickers were presented to the guests of honour
Deputy Director of Education and the District Educa-
tion officers from Kuching Division after the
speech. In Sarawak, bullying may not be as serious launching ceremony
cases than in other parts of the world. All the dis-

The participants from Sarawak attended the anti bullying Campign in

Kuching on 18th August 2018
 Volume 3 Issue 1 January—September 2018 Page 5

SMP-NATOW - Philippines ACTIVITY

(Samahang Manggagawang Pilipino - National Alliance of Teachers and Office Workers)
UPDATES
Consultation on Magna Carta of Women
LUZON: July 29, 2018, Brentwood Apartelle, Baguio City
SMP NATOW, lead organization in conducting the updates and con-
sultation on Magna Carta of Women under the ASEAN Women's
Network among the Education International - Philippine affiliates and
Security of Tenure in relation to pressing issue of contractualization
of teachers and non teaching personnel, had an active and positive
leadership also in the grass roots.

SMP-NATOW Vice President for Teaching Engr. Leonora

Velasco Fermin-Quarte had her time for highlighting the
Magna Carta of Women and the role it plays in the empow-
erment of women and promotion of gender equality.

Sis. Milagros C. Ogalinda, SMP-NATOW Secretary General,

amplifies the current labor situation in the Philippines.
Accordingly, workers can further improve themselves and
their living and working conditions through unionism. She
also claimed that private and public schools could be
flagged "alarmingly red" as these fall short of occupational
safety and health. More so, labor standards are not well
complied by some private institutions.

This is a series of activities that SMP-NATOW conducts in the country as it empowers teachers and office
workers through education, affiliation, negotiation, and collective bargaining.

VISAYAS: August 26, 2018, Gerry Roxas Training and Convention Center
Secretary General Sis. Milagros Ogalinda,
AWN-Phils SMP-NATOW Focal Person ex-
plains the vitality of consulting teachers and
office workers in the light of Magna Carta of
Women. The background of the ASEAN Wom-
en’s Network and the enabling law (MCW) are
likewise highlighted.

Engr. Leonora Velasco Fermin-Quarte, SMP-

NATOW Vice President for Teaching, discuss-
es provisions of the Republic Act 9710 popular-
ly known as the Magna Carta of Women. This
is in line with the commitment of SMP-NATOW
under the ASEAN Women’s Network (AWN)
program of educating and empowering union
leaders, especially women.
ASEAN WOMEN’S NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 6

SMP-NATOW - Philippines ACTIVITY

(Samahang Manggagawang Pilipino - National Alliance of Teachers and Office Workers)
UPDATES
SMP-NATOW stirs up anti-bullying campaign efforts

T
he Samahang Manggagawang Pilipino–National Alliance of Teachers and Office Work-
ers (SMP-NATOW), an affiliate of Education International (EI) in the Philippines, has
launched its national campaign to curb bullying in the schools and in the workplaces. This is a pro-
active engagement of the federation for the ASEAN Women’s Network (AWN-Philippines),
EI sub-regional women’s agenda and advocacy forum buoyed by Lärarförbundet (Swedish Teachers
Union). The Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF) likewise actively supports AWN’s anti-bullying
campaign. Sis. Shashi Bala Singh, EI-Asia Pacific Chief Coordinator, and Sis. Pathma Krishnan, EI
regional coordinator, steer the AWN activities.
Mandaluyong City, National Capital Region

United against bullying! (Left) SMP-NATOW kicks off its national anti-bullying campaign with EIAP Regional Coordinator, Bro. Rey D.
Dolot, Dr. Joseph Jovellanos (President) and Sis. Milagros Ogalinda (Secretary General) leading the participants to stand up for the bullied
and victims. (Top, Right) Sis. Ailene Montalban (Chair, Women’s Committee) facilitates the symbolic signing of manifesto of support.
(Bottom, Right) Members of the federation take staid anti-bullying hand.

On May 1, during the celebration of International Labor Day, SMP-NATOW has officially
started its efforts on anti-bullying campaign by bringing together around 180 teachers, union members,
youth and students, parents, and school officials in the Richville Hotel, Mandaluyong City. The choice of
Mandaluyong City to be the venue is suitable as it is recognized officially as the most child-friendly local
government unit in the country.

Bro. Rey Clemente Dolot, EI senior coordinator, served as one of the resource persons to-
gether with Ms. Gemma Garcia, student discipline officer at José Rizal University. Bro. Avelino
Caraan, SMP-NATOW Deputy Secretary General–Research, presented a study about bullying in the
Philippines.

The national campaign was highlighted by the signing of manifesto of support to halt bullying. Be
a buddy, not a bully! chant volubly echoed in the hall.
 Volume 3 Issue 1 January—September 2018 Page 7

Baguio City, Luzon

On May 4-6, SMP-NATOW Vice President
for Teaching Engr. Leonora Quarte sent local
affiliates of the federation to the EI-AWN
(Philippines) Luzon-wide Gender-based Train-
ing. Gender is one of the bases of bullying in
the country. It is found out that women and
members of the LGBTI community are fre-
quently bullied in the schools which lead to
demotivation and to some extent, suicides.
The participants took to streets to raise SMP-NATOW local union leaders flash anti-bullying campaign posters and tarpaulins
awareness of the society on the need to put as they bring to the public the issue of school bullying and mental health.
an end to bullying.

Zamboanga City (Mindanao)

On May 13, the campaign has Zamboanga

City in Mindanao on its trail to popular-
ize anti-bullying campaign of the federa-
tion. Private school teachers, parents,
and organizers participated in the launch-
ing held at the Astoria Plaza. The same
research presented in the NCR launch
was given by SMP-NATOW to the par-
ticipants who were given substantial
background about the alarming situations Participants led by the SMP-NATOW officers raise hand stop sign that represents
brought about by bullying in the schools their ardent, serious desire to put an end to bullying in the schools and workplaces,
and at works. Zamboanga City, Mindanao

Roxas City (Visayas)

On August 26, forty (40) teacher-leaders,

union members, youth and parents at-
tended the launch of anti-bullying cam-
paign held in Gerry Roxas Convention
and Training Center, Roxas City, Cap-
iz. The federation rolled up plan to inte-
grate the said campaign to local unions’
activities. Posters and placards pertinent
to the campaign were distributed.
Participants led by the SMP-NATOW officers raise hand stop sign that represents their ardent,
serious desire to put an end to bullying in the schools and workplaces, Roxas City, Capiz.

“No to bullying. Schools and workplaces shall be free from unnecessary pressures and discrimina-
tion. We teachers are in the front row preserving works and lives.” said SMP-NATOW Secretary General
Sis. Milagros Ogalinda.

—————————————————————————————————————
For related social media write ups and photos, please like and share May 1 (NCR), May 6 (Luzon), May 13 (Mindanao) and
August 26(Visayas) posts at the official Facebook account of the federation, SMP NATOW. Thank you.
 ASEAN WOMEN’S NETWORK NEWSLETTER
from page 2
Island Wide Training of Trainers
It is only when women and the members of the LGBTQI are
capacitated with their rights that they are able to fully understand their
inner strengths and weaknesses, capitalize on these strengths and work
on their frailties.
In a society where misogyny, sexism, stereotyping and blame
shaming are significantly actualized and verbalized by the country’s
leaders, the Filipino children might misconstrue Moreover, in a country
where more than 80% of the education workers are women, it is quite
imperative that something must be done to equip them with the neces-
sary skills and attitude to help them address the gender disparity they
experience in the family, community and workplace.these actions as so-
cial norms and unless properly processed might impact on them until
later years in their lives.
Teachers, especially the women, have to walk the talk because
they play a potent role in educating the youth on the facets of gender,
respect for one’s status or preferences in life, knowing and accepting each
other’s differences.
Very much aware that these are only the offshoots of a restric-
tive society, ACT Philippines believe that there is really a need to study
the underlying causes of the current state of affairs, thus the cascading of
the Module on Gender Equality - Understanding its Historical and Struc-
tural Contexts across the regions of the Philippines.
Contributed by:
Cristina V. Manalo
ACT Philippines’ Focal Person for AWN-Philippines
from page 3
The rise of PGRI Women...
In Chapter VIII article 21 of PBPGRI Regulation Number 03 / PO /
PB / XXI / 2018 it is stated that the establishment of PGRI Women is estab-
lished at the central, provincial and district / city levels. PGRI women are
formed by the Board of Directors of PGRI Organizations according to their
level. The formation of PGRI Women at the provincial and district / city
levels should obtain recommendations from the PGRI Women on the upper
level. The formation of PGRI women can first be done simultaneously if the
female PGRI level above it has not been formed. While financial resources
can be obtained from the governing body of the PGRI organization, grants
from non-binding government or non-government agencies, and income
from non-binding businesses.
This activity ends with the formation of Whatssap group to monitor
the follow up activities undertaken in each district / city. The positive im-
pression and spirit of the participants was demonstrated even after the event
by continuously communicating and coordinating especially regarding the
formation of PGRI Women of districts/cities.
ASEAN WOMEN’S NETWORK
Editorial Board
Sis. Pathma Krishnan
Regional Coordinator, EIAP
Sis. Milagros C. Ogalinda Sis. Fransiska Susilowati
SMP-NATOW, Philippines PGRI, Indonesia
EIAP Regional Office: 53B Jalan Telawi Tiga, Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Website: www.ei-awn.net
Page 8
HISTORY OF ASEAN WOMEN’S NETWORK
In 1999, women leaders representing different Education
International affiliates from the ASEAN countries were gath-
ered by the then EI Coordinator Sis. Sashi Bala Singh (now our
Chief Coordinator ) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to intensify
women’s initiatives against all forms of discrimination. Hence,
the EI ASEAN WOMEN’S NETWORK was established in 2000 as
a response to the continuing discrimination and violence
against women experienced in their work, in education and in
their respective countries.
The network realized the need to have a structure to imple-
ment the various programs/projects for the advancement of
the status of women and address different issues detrimental
for its realization. There is also a need to monitor the success
and failures of each organization and a venue for this must be
put up. This gave birth to the ASEAN WOMEN’S NEWSLETTER
with great pride the newsletter serves as a vehicle for the
exchange of information among members of the network and
other concerned groups
Through this network, women leaders from different regions
were able to exchange and share ideas, strategies and news
about their respective organization. The representatives
pledge to promote the economic and social empowerment of
women through greater participation in decision policy mak-
ing in the union and society.
VISION
As women educators, we envision a strong and sustain-
able ASEAN WOMEN’S NETWORK which contribute to
the attainment of gender equality and women empow-
erment at work, in teacher’s union and society in gen-
eral.
MISSION
 To promote gender awareness by integrating gender
issues in all trade union activities
 To develop functional women’s committees / network in
the union.
 To enhance the proactive role of women in the decision
making governance through capacity building and net-
working
 To maintain an effective communication system for shar-
ing that will provide data base for research, monitoring
and evaluation
 To advance social awareness for sustainable develop-
ment of society through the promotion of rights of women,
children, and the girl child.
The Newsletter is published bi-annually under the auspices of
Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF)