In line with National Women’s Month, the Adbokaserye: Safe Spaces lecture aims to provide a comprehensive overview and understanding of the Safe Spaces Act on 21 March.

Officially known as Republic Act 11313, it defines all forms of gender-based sexual harassment in public and online spaces, educational or training institutions, and workplaces. It also provides protective measures and prescribes penalties against it.

The discussion will expound on the significant role of women in nation-building, as well as champion the fundamental equality, security and safety of both women and men to highlight the value of the human rights of each individual.

The talk will focus on the importance of ensuring safe spaces for women in educational communities.

The event is organized by the Center for Social Action and the Center for Restorative Discipline of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. It will delve into the existing policies of Benilde in support of this advocacy.

The session will be facilitated by a panel of experts from the fields of the academia, legal, and community engagement. The lineup includes Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros Chief Legislative Officer Dr. Jaye de la Cruz-Bekema, Lunas Collective volunteers Jana General and Yana Padolina, and Benilde vice president for Lasallian Mission and Student Life Nicky Templo Perez.

De la Cruz-Bekema is in charge of all legislative and policy interventions of the Senate office of Hontiveros. During her tenure, the legislator authored landmark national legislation such as the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, Mental Health Law and Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law. She earned her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of the Philippines Diliman, her master’s degree in development studies from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands and her doctorate degree in development economics and international development from Wageningen University and Research in Netherlands. In 2010, she was given an International Justicemakers Award for increasing access to justice in underserved rural communities. She is a member of the Akbayan Party and sits on its Executive Committee.

General is a queer feminist, gender justice, right-to-health advocate and human rights defender. Having over 10 years of experience in health and human rights research and community organization, she is a volunteer advocate who focuses on LGBTQ+ needs, sex and reproductive health and rights. She is currently a senior health program officer for gender and development.

Padolina is a feminist and inclusive advocate for a volunteer-powered chat care space for women and persons of diverse sexualities who experience gender-based violence and have concerns about sexual and reproductive health. A summa cum laude graduate from the Trinity University of Asia, she thrusted herself into digital advertising, dedicated to refining her foundations in community management, insight mining and digital strategy. She has combined effective communication with care to foster inclusive and safe spaces both online and offline. This is apparent in her contributions to the collective’s chat helpline operations, care activities, and content creation efforts.

Prior to becoming the vice president for Lasallian Mission and Student Life of Benilde, Templo Perez served as the director of Benilde Center for Inclusive Education and dean of Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies. She completed her Bachelor in Secondary Education major in Special Education and Health Education from the University of the Philippines and earned her Master in Learning and Teaching from De La Salle University. 

The affair is scheduled for 21 March, from 2 to 4 p.m. It will be live-streamed on facebook.com/centerforsocialaction and www.facebook.com/BenildeCRD.