Hiraya Mascara for Inclusive U

A summit that aims to strengthen inclusivity and leadership among student leaders and peer advocates. Through SOGIESC 101, Gender Sensitivity Training, and a Policy & Advocacy Bootcamp, the summit equips leaders with skills to address LGBTQIA+ concerns and produce resolutions for Help Desks and Gender Clubs.

Western Mindanao State University and Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University both support diverse student populations, but their systems for addressing LGBTQIA+ concerns remain limited. At WMSU, local gender clubs create safe spaces, advocate inclusivity, and provide peer-led support. However, many student leaders lack training to handle issues like discrimination, pronoun misuse, and stigma-related mental health concerns, leaving WMSU Lakandiwa to bear most of the responsibility. In contrast, ZPPSU relies solely on its central body, Unla Mascara Gender and Development, without grassroots-level clubs in departments. This centralized model burdens one organization, causes response delays, and limits accessibility, leaving many LGBTQIA+ students without immediate or relatable support. Through this, the implementing organizations aim to address the need of having student leaders and organizations that cater to the concerns of the LGBTQIA+ students.

To address these gaps, the implementing organizations, WMSU Lakandiwa and Unla Mascara Gender and Development of ZPPSU, will implement a unified campaign anchored on three key message pillars: Inclusive Leadership, Safe Spaces and Supportive Policies, and Promote Institutional Awareness and Commitment.

These strategies aim to equip student leaders with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to respond effectively to issues of discrimination, gender sensitivity, and mental health, while strengthening organizational coordination between schools.

By working together under this framework, the campaign seeks to create a city-wide movement for inclusion—one that amplifies student voices, empowers educational institutions to model respect and equality, and promotes a shared culture of affirmation and safety across Zamboanga City’s schools. Through this collective effort, each organization contributes to a sustainable and coordinated approach to inclusive education, ensuring that no student feels unseen or unsupported.