Program at a Glance
7th Asian Association of Women’s Studies (AAWS) Congress
6-7 November 2025 | UP Open University Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines (Hybrid)
"Empower, Sustain, and Democratize: Asian Women’s Journey at the Intersection of Change"
Conference Programme
HYBRID
(30 minutes)
REGISTRATION FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDEES
(1 hour 50 mins.)
UPOU Centennial Center for Digital Learning (CCDL)
OPENING CEREMONY
Master of Ceremonies
Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez
National Anthem and Doxology
UP Rural High School Glee Club
Welcome Message and Formal Declaration of the Opening of 7th AAWS Congress 2025
Prof. Joane V. Serrano, PhD
Chancellor, UP Open University (UPOU)
Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill
Keynote Address
Hon. Leila de Lima
ML Partylist Representative
House of Representatives
Conference Rationale: Dissecting Women and Feminist Discourses through AAWS Congress
Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, RSW
Dean, FMDS-UPOU
President, AAWS
Ceremonial Signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Asian Association of Women’s Studies and UP Open University
(30 minutes)
UPOU Multipurpose Hall (MPH)
Launching of Community Fair & Poster Exhibit
Host: Asst. Prof. Edmerson Calungsod
Chair, Community Fair and Poster Exhibit Committee
Message
Hon. Neil Andrew Nocon
Mayor of the Municipality of Los Baños
Hon. Christian Ted Tungohan
Provincial Director of DTI-Laguna
(20 minutes)
NETWORKING BREAK
(45 minutes)
CCDL
PLENARY SESSION 1
Revisioning Gender/Women’s Studies in the Post-Pandemic World: Work for Empowerment
Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, RSW
Dean, FMDS-UPOU
President, AAWS
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez
(15 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(1 hour)
LUNCH BREAK
(1 hour and 15 mins.)
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 1
Evolution of Women and Gender Studies Across Asia
Moderator: Dr. Aileen Park, AAWS Council
Venue: CCDL
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 2
Gender, Social Inclusion and Women Empowerment in ASEAN
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Lloyd Lyndel Simporios, UP Open University
Venue: UPOU Sandbox
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 3
Women’s Struggles and Democracy in Asia
Moderator: Assoc. Prof. Juvy Lizette Gervacio, UP Open University
Venue: UPOU Academic Residences (AR) Cafeteria
(10 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(10 minutes)
BREAK
(1 hour and 15 mins.)
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 4
Gender and Development: ASEAN’s Performance on the SDGs
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Rose Nonette Capadosa, UP Open University
Venue: Sandbox
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 5
Gender, Social Inclusion and Women Empowerment in ASEAN
Moderator: Ms. Reina P. Olivar, UP Open University
Venue: AR Cafeteria
(10 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(10 minutes)
BREAK
(45 minutes)
CCDL
PLENARY SESSION 2
Emerging Issues in Diversity, Multiculturalism and Democracy in Asia: The Role of Advocates
Dr. Aileen Park
Associate Professor, Philippine Normal University Mindanao
Member, AAWS Council
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Maria Lourdes Jarabe, UP Open University
(15 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(10 minutes)
Day 1 Recap & Reminders for next day
Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez
Master of Ceremonies
Conference Programme
HYBRID
(30 minutes)
REGISTRATION FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDEES
(1 hour and 15 mins.)
PANEL SESSION 2
Queering Southeast Asia
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Roda Tajon, UP Open University
Venue: CCDL
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 6
Intergenerational Perspectives on Gender Identity
Moderator: Dr. Zenaida Beltejar
Venue: Sandbox
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 7
Reshaping Intersectionality in Asia
Moderator: Dr. Maria Carolina Bello, UP Open University
Venue: AR Cafeteria
(10 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(20 minutes)
NETWORKING BREAK
(45 minutes)
CCDL
PLENARY SESSION 3
Beyond Recognition: Women’s Climate Justice and Innovation in Agriculture and Climate Ventures — Experiences from India
Prof. N. Manimekalai
Director, Centre for Women’s Development Studies
Moderator: Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio, AAWS Council Member
(15 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(1 hour)
LUNCH BREAK
(1 hour and 15 mins.)
PANEL SESSION 3
NGA & Development Partners Panel (PMPI, DMW, DOH, Safe Travel PH)
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Jephte O. Muñez, UP Open University
Venue: CCDL
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 8
Gender, Social Inclusion and Women Empowerment in ASEAN
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Regina Karla Bagalanon, UP Open University
Venue: Sandbox
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 9
Women’s Struggles and Democracy in Asia
Moderator: Prof. Myra D. Oruga, UP Open University
Venue: AR Cafeteria
(10 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(10 minutes)
BREAK
(1 hour and 15 mins.)
PANEL SESSION 4
Empowering Learning, Sustaining Inclusion: Democratizing Gender Discourse through ODeL and ASEAN Collaboration
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Remsce Pasahol, UP Open University
Venue: CCDL
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 10
Gender, Social Inclusion and Women Empowerment in ASEAN
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Edmerson Z. Calungsod, UP Open University
Venue: Sandbox
PARALLEL PRESENTATIONS 11
Women’s Struggles and Democracy in Asia
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Regine Karla Bagalanon, UP Open University
Venue: AR Cafeteria
(10 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(10 minutes)
BREAK
(45 minutes)
CCDL
PLENARY SESSION 4
Forging Collective Progress: Integrating Women’s Empowerment, Diversity and Sustainability in Asia’s Future
Dr. Carolyn I. Sobritchea
AAWS Council Member
Professorial Lecturer
University of the Philippines Open University
Moderator: Asst. Prof. Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe, PhD., RSW, UP Open University
(15 minutes)
OPEN FORUM
(15 minutes)
NETWORKING BREAK
(50 minutes)
CLOSING CEREMONY
Master of Ceremonies
Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez
Synthesis
Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio
AAWS Council Member
Awarding Ceremony
Presentation of Awards and Certificates
• Certificates for Fair Concessionaires
• Best Exhibit
• Best Poster
• Best Paper
To Present
(For Fair Concessionaires)
Asst. Prof. Edmerson Calungsod
Chair, Community Fair and Poster Exhibit
(For Best Poster and Best Paper)
Asst. Prof. Maria Lourdes Jarabe
Chair, Scientific Paper Sub-Committee
To Award
Prof. Joane V. Serrano, PhD
Chancellor, UP Open University (UPOU)
Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, RSW
Dean, FMDS
President, AAWS
AAWS Council Member
Closing Remarks
Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, RSW
Dean, FMDS
President, AAWS