By Rhea Mae B. Ruba, DOST GAD Unit
In the 10th anniversary celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through its Gender and Development Unit (GADU), hosted a hybrid career planning forum titled “Unboxing STEM Professions: A Day in the Life of Women in Science” on February 11, 2025, at the PHIVOLCS Auditorium, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Diliman, Quezon City. The event aimed to emphasize the vital role of women in scientific innovation and to highlight the numerous opportunities available for their advancement in STEM fields.
This hybrid career planning forum represents DOST’s strategic initiative to encourage students, especially girls, to pursue STEM education and STEM-related careers in the future. By showcasing the lived experiences of outstanding and visionary women who contributed significant knowledge and achievement to science, technology, and innovation (STI), the event seeks to reduce the gender gap in STEM fields and to break stereotypes associated with these professions.
The hybrid event was attended by more than one thousand junior high school and senior high school students all over the country, aiming to inspire and empower them to pursue or continue their STEM pathways. Students from the selected schools in Quezon City and Marikina City had the opportunity to attend the on-site forum, while other schools across the country participated online via Zoom and Facebook Live. Other online attendees are personnel from DOST, PSHS, state universities and colleges, and other government offices. The event was open to the public, allowing the general community to engage in discussions promoting an inclusive environment.
The countless support gained on this forum was made possible by having the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST) as co-implementor, along with the various DOST attached agencies, including the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), and National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), as partners.
Women in Science as Role Models through their Lived Experiences
The lectures on the remarkable journey of women in science were set through the plenary discussion about “Women in STEM Education and Careers,” presented by Usec. Maridon O. Sahagun, the DOST Undersecretary for Science and Technical Services. She emphasized that the United Nations declared this celebration to ensure full and equal access to and participation in STI for women and girls of all ages, which is vital for achieving gender equality and women empowerment.
“Although the gap is narrowing, our goal is to achieve gender parity in the field of STEM and in our society in general. Our ultimate goal is to close the gap towards gender equality. As One DOST, we recognize the importance of having role models when choosing a career path that’s why on this forum we’ve invited a set of esteemed speakers from various field within STEM to inspire everyone,” Usec. Sahagun said.
Seven dedicated and empowered women in science are invited as resource speakers for this hybrid career planning forum. These women are role models in the STI, having made significant contributions in their chosen fields, proving that women can excel in the STEM fields. The story of their journey, the triumphs and the challenges they’ve faced along the way, aim to inspire and empower the next generation of female scientists, innovators, and leaders.
The morning session featured thought-provoking discussions, as the speakers proudly shared their challenging yet rewarding careers in STI, their contentment in discovering the unknown and ultimately benefiting the people and community. This session included talks on various fields: Geology and Earth Sciences presented by Dr. Ma. Mylene M. Villegas, Deputy Director of DOST-PHIVOLCS; Medicine and Biological Sciences addressed by Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-dela Paz, Executive Director of the National Institute of Health; Environmental Sciences discussed by Dr. Denise Margaret S. Matias, Professor at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Germany; and Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics lectured by Dr. Reinabelle C. Reyes, Director of the Space Science Missions Bureau of the Philippine Space Agency.
Meanwhile, the afternoon session was filled with transformative lectures, where the speakers highlighted the strong skills and abilities of women in the fields of STI, demonstrating that gender does not limit excellence. This session included talks on various fields: Engineering and Industrial Sciences led by Dr. Nadzirah Hj. Zainordin, Assistant Professor and Head of Research and Postgraduate Studies at the UCSI Malaysia; Agricultural Sciences shared by Dr. Niña Alyssa M. Barroga, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Washington State University; and Information Technology introduced by Ms. Frei Sangil, President/Director of the LAYERTech Lab.
After the discussions in each session, a question and answer (Q&A) segment was held, giving both on-site and online participants the opportunity to address any concerns raised during the speakers' presentations. This part of the forum highlighted the active engagement of the participants, emphasizing that everyone plays a crucial role in the advancement of STI. The speakers, with the help of the moderator, Dr. Alvin B. Culaba, Vice President of the PhilAAST Division F (Engineering & Industrial Sciences), successfully provided insightful responses to the questions and concerns raised, fostering a deeper understanding and dialogue around the topics discussed.
DOST as a Leader in Strengthening STEM education and careers
In his message, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr., stated that gender equality and women empowerment is deeply rooted in the pre-colonial past. But in the present time, the Philippines is one of the 28 countries in the world to achieve gender parity in terms of education.
“In providing solutions and opening opportunities as One DOST, we will make sure that no one is left behind. DOST, as the prime mover of science, technology, and innovation, we are committed to close the gap in STEM education through our graduate and post-graduate scholarship programs and human resource development program (HRDP),” Sec. Solidum affirmed.
The DOST is committed to ensuring that its programs and projects are gender-sensitive and inclusive, consistently recognizing the involvement and contributions of women in the field of STEM, as demonstrated in this hybrid career planning forum.
Meanwhile, Asec. Diana L. Ignacio, the DOST Assistant Secretary for Administrative and Legal Affairs, who oversees the GAD Unit and serves as DOST-wide GAD focal person, shared the change of treatment to women from the past to the present. She emphasized the importance of embracing diversity and equality in the workplace, stressing that the tragedies of the past should never be repeated.
“Let us unbox the possibilities the STEM career has to offer and witness what a normal day is like for our women scientists. Together, let us explore women's vital contributions to science, address the challenges they encounter, and identify actionable pathways to empower more girls to pursue STEM education and careers,” Asec. Ignacio said.
Additionally, the former DOST Secretary and current PhilAAST President, Prof. Fortunato T. de la Peña, expressed his strong support for promoting STEM education to young girls. He also highlighted the DOST's vision during his tenure, which focused on serving the general public and fostering inclusive and sustainable development for all.
“Our mission is not only to measure the percentage of males and females interested in pursuing STEM education, but also to assess the impact of achieving gender balance in the STEM field,” Prof. de la Peña stated.
The event also received support from Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson, Ermelita V. Valdeavilla, who remarked, “Females and males are created differently, but they are equal. They are equal but they are meant for different purposes in life. Comparison and competition are not the points of our existence in this life. Maleness or femaleness is not the measure of our importance as human beings. The measurement of our greatness is the goodness that we are able to contribute to the betterment of humanity. And you can do that by taking professions in STEM.”
Alongside promoting STEM subjects to the participants, especially young girls, this hybrid career planning forum was set to remove stereotypes in education and ensure that both male and female participation in the ongoing digital transformation are on equal terms.
DOST officials Asec. Diana L. Ignacio (third from the left) and Usec. Maridon O. Sahagun (third from the right), along with the resource speakers and moderator, during the 2025 International Day of Women and Girls celebration.
The morning session of the question-and-answer segment with the resource speakers—Dr. Reinabelle C. Reyes, Dr. Denise Margaret S. Matias, Dr. Ma. Mylene M. Villegas, and Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-Dela Paz—and moderator Dr. Alvin B. Culaba (from left to right).
The afternoon session of the question-and-answer segment with the resource speakers—Dr. Niña Alyssa M. Barroga (upper corner of the screen), Dr. Nadzirah Hj. Zainordin (lower middle of the screen), Ms. Frei Sangil (left corner) —and moderator Dr. Alvin B. Culaba (right corner).
