A First for the World Conference on Women's Studies: Women in TVET Research Featured on the Global Stage
The TESDA Women’s Center (TWC) proudly marked a historic milestone at the World Conference on Women’s Studies (WCWS) 2026 held on May 28–30, 2026, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
For the first time in the conference’s history, a research study focusing on Women in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was featured and presented, making TWC’s Participatory Action Research (PAR) a significant contribution to the global discourse on women’s empowerment. It was a distinct honor for the TESDA Women’s Center to bring the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of women in TVET to an international platform attended by researchers, policymakers, academics, and gender advocates from around the world.
The conference serves as a venue for advancing knowledge on global feminisms, sharing innovative research, fostering international collaboration, and developing solutions to address gender-related issues across diverse contexts and communities.
Representing TESDA at the conference were Deputy Director General for TVET Partnerships and Linkages, Nelly Nita N. Dillera, CESO III; TWC Administrator Mylene H. Somera; Supervising TESD Specialist Kimberly G. Bautista; and GAD Focal Person Joenna Tabu-Tattao.
Beyond the research presentation, the delegation connected with fellow researchers and development practitioners from various countries and explored opportunities for future collaboration. A meeting was also held with Mr. Isanka P. Gamage, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), to discuss potential partnerships in promoting women’s participation in TVET, strengthening gender-responsive initiatives, and advancing collaborative research programs.
As TWC continues to champion women’s empowerment through skills development and lifelong learning, this international engagement reaffirms its commitment to elevating the voices of women in TVET and contributing to global conversations that shape a more inclusive and equitable future.