One of the most pervasive forms of harassment nowadays is 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, especially for women and LGBTQIA+ members. It is alarmingly present even in schools, where students and staff alike are meant to feel safe. The 𝗕𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘄, formally known as the 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁 (𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭𝟭𝟯𝟭𝟯), has taken significant strides to combat such harassment by ensuring protection in all public and private spaces, including schools. This law is a timely and necessary response to the growing instances of gender-based harassment, which often takes the form of inappropriate comments, persistent unwanted attention, or even non-consensual physical advances. As Confucius once said, “𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶.” This timeless wisdom is especially relevant in fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect within our educational spaces.

 

This reality is particularly relevant today as 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 (𝗡𝗠𝗦𝗖𝗦𝗧), through the Memorandum Order No. 110, Series of 2024 from the Office of the College President, holds the 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 on October 24, 2024, at the PE Academic Building. Themed "𝘚𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴: 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴," this event is a vital reminder for both students and employees to reflect on the protections this law offers and the responsibilities we bear to foster a respectful community. Gender-based sexual harassment, especially in educational institutions, can have devastating effects, silencing victims, undermining their confidence, and creating an unsafe atmosphere that impedes learning and growth. Harper Lee, in her classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, profoundly stated, “𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.” This reflection reminds us of the importance of empathy, which is the foundation of respect and understanding.

 

Organized by the Gender and Development Office, this symposium is not merely an academic exercise but a 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 for the entire NMSCST community. As the Safe Spaces Act empowers both students and faculty to speak up against harassment, this event serves as a platform for raising awareness about what constitutes harassment, how to prevent it, and what steps to take when violations occur. With the attendance of all NMSCST college students, as well as the Faculty and Staff, the symposium is a shared moment of learning that can have lasting effects on how we navigate daily interactions in classrooms, hallways, and even online spaces.

The greatest takeaway from this event is more than just knowing the law—it is about 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 of creating safe, respectful spaces. We must go beyond compliance to build a 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 where harassment is not just penalized but is entirely unacceptable. As Mahatma Gandhi eloquently put it, “𝘉𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥.” By promoting respect for boundaries, gender identity, and personal safety, we can contribute to an environment where education thrives without the looming threat of harassment.

 

As we participate in this symposium, let us remember that the 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁 is not just about avoiding violations but about actively promoting respect and protection for every member of the community. Creating these safe spaces starts with understanding that 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲—𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. The symposium offers a critical opportunity to embrace this truth, ensuring that our institution is one where harassment is not only addressed but eradicated. Let us uphold this spirit and take tangible steps toward building a safer, more respectful campus for all.