Overview

 In reference to the Philippine Constitution, Article II, Section 14, recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men;  The Women in Development and Nation Building Act or Republic Act No. 7192 reiterates the principle of gender equality and directs all government departments and agencies to review and revise all their regulations to remove gender bias therein;  The Magna Carta of Women (MCW) or Republic Act No. 9710 covers the comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination, against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of women; United Nations Convention on  the Elimination of all forms of  Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),  shall pursue and implement programs, projects and activities that will contribute to the achievement of women’s empowerment and gender equality;  CHED Memorandum Order No. 01, Series of 2015, Establishing the Policies and Guideline on Gender and Development in the Commission on Higher Education and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), mandated  CHED introduce and institutionalize gender equality and gender responsiveness and sensitivity in the various aspects of Philippine higher education, specifically in the trifocal functions of higher education; a) curriculum development; b) gender responsiveness research programs and c) gender- responsive extension programs;  Philippine Commission on Women, Memorandum Circular 2011-01, explicates the systematic approach to gender mainstreaming carried out by all government  instrumentalities through the annual development and implementation of programs, activities and projects and addressing gender issues and concerns in their respective organizations, sectors and constituencies by utilizing at least 5% of their total budget allocation; henceforth, DHVSU is mandated to adhere to the aforesaid legal provisions.

The University is committed to promote Gender and Development (GAD) mainstreaming initiatives by the conduct of various relevant, responsive and sustainable programs/projects/activities.  All stakeholders, that of, University officials, faculty, non-teaching personnel, students as well as the parents, alumni and other partners shall play critical roles in forging an empowered, bias-free and inclusive learning institution.    Ultimately, it is envisioned that   DHVSU shall be a GAD-principled University; promoting and protecting the rights of WOMEN AND MEN with Education at its core.