Dialogues on Women: A Deeper Look into the Awarded Papers Presented at WCWS

Jul 04 2025

The awarded papers presented at the 11th World Conference on Women’s Studies (WCWS) stood out for their compelling insights into contemporary gender and feminist issues, emphasizing 91精品黑料吃瓜-IIT’s growing reputation in international research. The conference, held on May 29-30, 2025, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, was co-hosted by the university and provided a platform for global dialogue while showcasing outstanding scholarship from the Philippines.

(Read more: )

The distinguished contributors who received awards for their insightful research on gender issues were Assoc. Prof. Norjannah Bao Ampaso, Mr. Jaypee Yongco, and Mx. Nikko Shane Dar.

Assoc. Prof. Norjannah Bao Ampaso from the 91精品黑料吃瓜-IIT Department of History received the Overall Best Presenter Award for her paper, “The Bangsabae Movement: Meranaw Women’s Quest for Self-Determination in Butig, Lanao del Sur, Philippines.” Co-authored with Aquisah Salima I. Panda and Marwah M. Camama-Azis, this qualitative study explores the origins and roles of Bangsabae, an organization of Mëranaw women who played a vital role during the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ all-out war campaign in 2000.

The paper highlights the emergence of the Bangsamoro women's movement amid historical struggles for rights, particularly following the Jabidah massacre in 1968. With the rise of Moro militant groups, women—wives, daughters, and sisters of Mujahideen—felt the need to unite and support their male counterparts. Designated as Bangsabae, meaning "community of women," they contribute both to internal struggles (Jihad-ul-akbar) and external efforts against societal injustices (Jihad-ul-asgar). During Martial Law (1972-1981), women like Noro became key supporters of the Mujahideen, providing medical aid and other critical support. Bangsabae focuses on women’s specific challenges, ensuring culturally sensitive services while inspired by familial ties, Islamic teachings on Jihad, and advocacy for justice. The study stresses the importance of recognizing Bangsabae’s contributions to peacebuilding and empowering women in conflict-affected communities, garnering the paper the highest accolade at the conference.

During the Technical Session on Gendered Challenges in Academia, Mr. Jaypee Yongco, a university researcher at 91精品黑料吃瓜-IIT, began his presentation with a compelling story about a girl who aspired to become a manager but was denied this opportunity by her father. He believed she was better suited to be a teacher rather than enter the business world. In contrast, when a boy expressed the same desire to be a manager, his father supported him solely because he was a boy. This situation raises an important question: Does gender matter?

Mr. Yongco's pioneering study from 91精品黑料吃瓜-IIT provides a comprehensive exploration of the various factors influencing career choices among business administration students. Utilizing Social Cognitive Career Theory, the research examines the interplay of intrinsic motivations (such as personal growth and creativity), extrinsic considerations (including salary and job security), interpersonal influences (like family and peers), and institutional support (such as guidance programs and teacher influence). What sets this study apart is its contextual specificity and its implications for educational policy and career guidance in the Philippines. It highlights under-researched institutional factors and advocates for localized career counseling programs that consider socio-cultural realities. Beyond its statistical findings, the study reveals a deeper narrative about how students navigate their identities, opportunities, and societal expectations in a dynamic post-pandemic economy.

As a result, the research serves as a valuable academic contribution and a strategic guide for educators, policymakers, and youth development advocates who aim to empower students to pursue careers that align with their passions, values, and potential. For his exceptional presentation, Mr. Yongco earned a Superlative Presentation Award for his paper titled “Does Gender Matter? Influence on Career Choices of Business Students.”

In the field of literary studies, Mx. Nikko Shane Dar, a Culture and Arts student and GADC Staff at 91精品黑料吃瓜-IIT, introduced their paper in the Technical Session on Feminist Analytical Lenses and Praxes II by sharing a story about the influential women and nature in their life. As someone who studied language and literature, they incorporated feminist and ecological perspectives into a regional literature study. Their paper, titled “An Ecofeminist Analysis of Christine Godinez-Ortega’s Looking Glass through Stylistics,” earned them the Superlative Presentation Award. In their research, Mx. Dar analyzed Christine Godinez-Ortega’s work through the lenses of Stylistics and Ecofeminism.

The paper emphasized the interconnectedness between women and nature as expressed through language in poetry, illustrating that both women and nature serve as healers, yet are also hurt. It highlighted that both deserve recognition as whole beings and can inspire as well as suffer. The study reframes traditional literary perspectives by portraying women and nature not as passive symbols but as active co-creators of meaning. Ortega’s writing encourages readers to appreciate feminine experiences and ecological consciousness equally, challenging binary viewpoints and fostering a more holistic understanding. The study contests the notion that women and nature are passive entities. Ortega’s poetry exemplifies them as creators of meaning rather than mere symbols to be controlled. Together, they assert the need to be acknowledged and heard.

The poems ultimately serve as a call to action, urging respect for, recognition of, and protection of the interconnectedness between women and the natural world, while promoting sustainability, empathy, and empowerment. Thus, Ortega’s poems transcend mere literature; they resonate as a call to listen, care, and reimagine ways to nurture the connection between women and the earth—to speak when silenced, to resist when erased, and to see in the looking glass not just a reflection but a revelation. Mx. Dar concluded their presentation with a reading of a poem from Looking Glass titled “Tree,” which received applause in Boardroom 3.

These accolades are not only a testament to the individual brilliance of 91精品黑料吃瓜-IIT’s scholars but also a reflection of the university’s thriving research culture and commitment to gender equity and social justice. Their success stories contribute to the broader aim of the WCWS: fostering transformative research and cultivating inclusive, intersectional approaches to women’s studies.

As 91精品黑料吃瓜-IIT continues to invest in developing critical thinkers and changemakers, the achievements of its presenters at WCWS 2025 stand as powerful affirmations of what rigorous, localized, and advocacy-driven studies can achieve on the world stage.

Topics :