DOST Asec. Diana L. Ignacio delivers a presentation on “Inclusive by Design: Advancing Gender Equity in Science, Technology, and Innovation” during the 8th NRDC.
In line with the Magna Carta of Women, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is committed to enhancing gender mainstreaming by advocating gender equity as a strategic approach for inclusive development in science, technology, and innovation (STI).
Gender equity underscores the importance of investing in gender-responsive technologies and integrating gender perspectives into all DOST policies, programs, and projects. This call for a long-term, inclusive development strategy was presented by DOST Assistant Secretary Dr. Diana L. Ignacio, in charge of the DOST GAD Unit and DOST-wide GAD focal person, during her talk, “Inclusive by Design: Advancing Gender Equity in STI”, at the 8th National Research and Development Conference (NRDC) held on July 23, 2025, at The Manila Hotel.
“We challenge the status quo and advance gender equity for the attainment of true justice. Believing that gender equality means treating everyone the same is insufficient, as systemic barriers still exist. True equality assumes that everyone starts from the same position, which is often not the case. Equity, on the other hand, acknowledges the unique challenges faced by different groups and requires policies that genuinely level the playing field,” Asec. Ignacio stressed.
According to the World Economic Forum (2025), the global gender gap has been closed by 69%, but it will take an estimated 123 years to fully achieve gender parity. Significant gaps remain in many countries, particularly in the areas of economic participation and political empowerment.
In support of the full achievement of gender parity, the DOST applies gender equity to push for actions and efforts that aim to empower women by addressing their unique needs and ensuring their voices are meaningfully included in shaping the STI agenda. These efforts composed of various initiatives to boost women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, through the strengthening of educational opportunities, improving training accessibility, establishing funds and awards, acknowledging women in the workplace, promoting leadership roles, and formulating women-centric policies.
The DOST emphasized the crucial role of women in the STEM field to address imbalances in their representation in a male-dominated community. The World Economic Forum (2025) reports that in the Philippines, only 14% of STEM graduates are women, compared to 35% who are men. The said imbalances could affect the nation’s productivity and performances in innovation, creativity, and economic growth.
Meanwhile, UNESCO reported that only 33% of researchers globally were women between 2018 and 2021, highlighting persistent gender disparities in the field. In contrast, the Philippines recorded a notable achievement, with 55% of researchers being women, which demonstrates the country’s progress in promoting gender equality in research. This contrast underscores the importance of integrating gender perspectives in the STEM field to nurture a balance scientific community.
Asec. Ignacio also shared the UNESCO survey results on women’s capabilities to innovate and approach problems differently, which demonstrate significant impacts on social change, resilience and creativity, inclusive approaches, new leadership styles, and work-life balance. The data show that women’s increased participation in STI not only enriches technical expertise but also provides unique leadership insights.
Applying a gender lens in research and development (R&D) initiatives is crucial to ensuring inclusive progress and addressing systemic inequalities. Asec. Ignacio emphasized that the persistent barriers faced by millions of women and marginalized groups prevent their full contribution to society and the economy. This reality underscores the urgent necessity of advancing gender mainstreaming, implement equity-driven policies, and advocate for inclusive design. By embedding these principles into R&D, it will unlock broader innovation and create solutions that are more equitable for all. (By Rhea Mae B. Ruba, DOST GAD Unit)
An open forum during the 8th NRDC with the other resource speakers.
GAD advocates together with DOST officials.
