#ChoosetoChallenge: Dr Glory Dee Romo

Dr Glory Dee Romo is a gender/socio- economist based in the Philippines and a champion of gender equity in agricultural systems and research. She is amongst eight women from the Philippines to be awarded a Meryl Williams Fellowship by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in 2021.

 Dr Romo is currently responsible for two research projects that respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, one funded by the ACIAR Alumni Research Support Facility, managed by the University of New England, Australia and another funded by the Australia Awards in the Philippines through the Australian Alumni COVID-19 Response Grant Scheme. The research looks at enhancing strengths and mitigating vulnerabilities in food systems to improve food security during times of crisis.

Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, we asked Dee to describe how she lives out this year’s theme #choosetochallenge:

“There are three main ways in which I #choosetochallenge in my work life:

First, in my research projects, I make it a point to include gender elements so that the work sheds light on what may have constrained women’s participation – not just in traditional agriculture but also in sectors such as aquaculture. By doing this, we are able to devise and recommend interventions that will enhance women’s participation. It’s this potential to make an impact that draws me to research that focuses upon women.  

Second, I make sure that together with my colleagues, we consider women in any extension services that we undertake. For instance, I was involved in conceptualizing and implementing a strategic planning program in our nearby community. We invited both male and female resource persons into this program to ensure it lived up to gender equity principals from the start.  It’s not difficult to do but it does take commitment and leadership.

Third, I love being able to link organizations pursuing women’s causes with other entities that might be able to help them pursue their advocacies and/ or access resources that may not be otherwise available.

In my institution, I helped to create the circumstances for institutional change to build an environment that enables and supports a safe space for everyone. Along with other colleagues, we were able to successfully push for a separation of the Anti-Sexual Harassment and Gender offices. Through this separation, more resources will be made available for a safe space for everyone. Hopefully, this will also influence how our other colleagues look at issues related to sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and gender equality.

Earlier in my career I was awarded an ACIAR John Allwright Fellowship (JAF)  that enabled me to pursue a PhD in Australia. Inspired by a survey of Australian universities on sexual assault and sexual harassment, along with Asst. Prof. Jon Marx Sarmiento, also a JAF fellow and a colleague at the University of the Philippines Mindanao, we developed a similar instrument for use in the Philippines.

We’ve run the survey twice at the University of the Philippines, Mindanao and hope to share it with other institutions soon. The tool allows us to assess the level of student awareness of sexual harassment as well as the existing support system. We gather student input into the effectiveness of the current systems and their suggestions for future improvement.  

I believe it is best that men are actively involved in the promotion for safe spaces. By giving credit to their efforts, we are also able to influence more people - especially men to get involved in gender equality efforts. Gender equality is important for everyone because it delivers benefits for all of society. “

What inspired you to take these actions?

“I take these actions because I know there is still a lot to be done to achieve gender equality.”

“While the Philippines ranks 16th in the Global Gender Gap Index 2020, the figure does not capture the conditions of women in marginalized areas. The Women Peace and Security Index (which ranks the women’s well-being) 2019/2020 results showed Philippines in a lower rank at 90th.

I have been a council member of the Office of Gender and Anti-Sexual Harassment in my institution for many years. I am inspired by the people that I work with who also pursue advocacy for gender equality.

I’ve also been personally inspired by Irene Santiago, who is Chair Emerita and Chief Executive Officer of the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. She is a well known peace negotiator and advocates for the inclusion of women in negotiations both in peacemaking and peacebuilding. She was also instrumental in the implementation of the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Philippines.”

What do you wish more people understood about gender inequity?

“Gender equality starts at home. All of us have the responsibility to understand how to eliminate gender inequities. We start this with our families. We need to demonstrate what gender equality is to our children. We demonstrate that care work is not based on gender and it has to be shared among the members of the family. We create the opportunities to discuss gender equality at home.”

“I believe that if we have more young people who understand how to advance gender equality, the world will be a much better place for everyone. It is also important that we can discuss our gender biases with young people and together learn how to correct these.”

What is the hardest thing about choosing to challenge gender inequity professionally?

“The hardest thing is when the people (especially those who make decisions related to gender equality in your institution) whom you are trying to influence lack interest in knowing more about gender equality, gender-based violence, and how to address gender inequities.”  

When you are brave and you stand up for gender equity, do you find that you are supported by others? Is it a positive experience?

“Yes. I am fortunate that I have colleagues who also have the same passion to advocate for gender equality. We may be small in number but we have succeeded in influencing change through perseverance. We hope this number will increase in time.”

“We start with achievable, small steps that serve as good nudges towards the elimination of gender inequities. Our impact will increase over time.”

Dr Glory Dee Romo has been awarded a Meryl Williams Fellowship by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to support her as she develops leadership skills and an influential career. The Meryl Williams Fellowship is delivered by the Gender Equity in Research and Development (GEAReD) team based at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia. Learn more here: https://www.geared.global/aboutmwf