AIM Holds Hybrid Forum on Gender Sensitivity and Inclusive Education 

The Guidance and Counselling Office organized a hybrid panel discussion titled “Seeing Beyond: Gender Sensitivity in Action” on 09 July 2025. Students, educators, and mental health professionals came together to explore how schools can foster safer and more respectful spaces for all. 

Moderated by Roanne Aden Carreon, MIB 2026A and John Vincent Manglicmot, MDM 2025, the forum emphasized the importance of shared understanding on gender identity, inclusive language, and the harmful effects of stereotypes. 

“Gender sensitivity carries with it a lot of ideas… it means being aware of differences in genders, acknowledging diversity, and then responding to that knowledge and awareness with sensitivity, with respect, with fairness,” said guest panelist Dr. Estesa Que-Legaspi, Associate Professor and Director of the Lasallian Center for Inclusion, Diversity, and Well-being at De La Salle University Manila. 

Psychologist and gender rights advocate Jay Mark Cabrera added, “Gender sensitivity is like a pair of glasses—once you put it on, you start to see the world differently. Stereotypes are single-sided stories—they blind us from seeing the whole person.” 

The session concluded with a reminder that inclusion is not a one-time effort, but an ongoing process that requires personal reflection, institutional initiative, and collective action. 

As the moderators noted, “Inclusivity starts with awareness, grows with empathy, and lasts through action.” Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality, the event reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to building inclusive and empathetic academic environments. 

To learn more about upcoming events or to seek support in fostering inclusive spaces, students and community members are encouraged to connect with the Guidance and Counselling Office at guidance.counselor@aim.edu.