On October 27, 2025, Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), through its Gender and Development (GAD) Office, in coordination with the EVSU Multipurpose Cooperative and the University Medical Clinic, conducted a Breast Cancer Awareness Forum at the Administration Building Lobby as part of its Pink October advocacy. Anchored on the theme “Pink Partnership: Empowering Hope, Inspiring Strength,” the initiative brought together faculty members and students to promote awareness of breast cancer prevention, early detection, and women’s health.

The forum emphasized the importance of recognizing potential health concerns early, seeking appropriate medical attention, and strengthening awareness of preventive healthcare practices. It also featured testimonies from breast cancer survivors within the University community, who shared their experiences and insights on early detection, treatment, and wellness. These discussions helped reinforce the importance of health awareness, timely consultation, and informed personal health decisions.

Complementing the breast cancer awareness campaign, EVSU highlighted the role of breastfeeding in promoting maternal and child health. The activity emphasized the health benefits of breastfeeding, including its contribution to maternal well-being and its association with a reduced risk of breast cancer. It also drew attention to Republic Act No. 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, and Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, which provide important legal foundations for breastfeeding promotion and the protection of women’s health and rights.

Through the collaborative efforts of the GAD Office, the University Medical Clinic, and the EVSU Multipurpose Cooperative, the initiative integrated women’s health awareness, maternal health education, and preventive healthcare advocacy into the University’s campus activities. By engaging students alongside faculty and staff, EVSU helped disseminate health information that supports informed decisions about personal health, encourages early consultation, and promotes a culture of preventive care within the university community.

This initiative contributes to EVSU’s broader efforts to promote health and well-being through gender-responsive education and health information dissemination. While the forum primarily addressed breast cancer awareness and breastfeeding rather than the full range of sexual and reproductive healthcare services, it provides supplementary evidence of the University’s commitment to women’s health education and the promotion of reproductive and maternal health awareness among its constituents.

Eastern Visayas State University–Carigara Campus (EVSU-CC) demonstrates its commitment to student health and well-being through its partnership with GlobalCare Korea International Cooperation Agency (GlobalCare KOICA) in implementing the Adolescent Sex and Reproductive Health Promotion Project in Leyte. The initiative addresses adolescent pregnancy and sexual and reproductive health challenges by promoting access to age-appropriate health information, comprehensive sexuality education, and youth-friendly healthcare services.

Through this collaborative initiative, EVSU–Carigara contributes to efforts to equip adolescents with accurate information and practical knowledge to make informed and responsible decisions concerning their sexual and reproductive health. The project encompasses comprehensive sexuality education, peer-education initiatives, capacity building for health workers, and the development of youth-friendly counseling and information spaces.

These complementary approaches help strengthen health awareness, encourage responsible health-seeking behavior, and facilitate access to appropriate guidance and support for adolescents.

The project’s emphasis on youth-friendly health services on campus and in surrounding communities further reflects the importance of making sexual and reproductive health information and support accessible to young people in educational and community settings. By working with GlobalCare KOICA and other relevant stakeholders, EVSU–Carigara extends its role beyond academic instruction and contributes to a collaborative approach to adolescent health promotion, pregnancy prevention, and reproductive health education.

EVSU–Carigara’s participation in the project was recognized by GlobalCare KOICA, underscoring the Campus’s contribution to advancing adolescent sexual and reproductive health initiatives in Leyte. This partnership provides evidence of the University’s engagement with an external health organization to support reproductive health education and youth-oriented health services.

Eastern Visayas State University–Burauen Campus (EVSU-BC) strengthened its commitment to student health and well-being through its Student Orientation Seminar on “Teenage Pregnancy, Reproductive Health, and Sexuality,” conducted on February 14, 2025, at the Human Resource Development Center Hall. The activity gathered freshmen from across academic departments to raise awareness of reproductive health, sexuality, teenage pregnancy prevention, and responsible personal decision-making.

The seminar was opened by Campus Director Dr. Renato E. Martija, who emphasized the importance of collective efforts in fostering a supportive environment where students can make informed choices. Prof. Antonino A. Sales Jr., Head of the Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO), further highlighted the relevance of the activity in improving students’ understanding of reproductive health and encouraging responsible decisions concerning their well-being.

The program featured discussions on sexuality, personal development, and the importance of understanding individual identity and relationships. Rev. Fr. John Andrew D. Avila, Parochial Vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish, discussed sexuality in relation to personal and spiritual growth. Representatives from the Municipal Health Office of Burauen also shared proactive measures for preventing early pregnancy and promoting health and well-being within the community. The participation of local health personnel strengthened the seminar’s health education component by connecting students with information from community health practitioners.

Through this initiative, EVSU–Burauen provided students with a structured opportunity to access information and education on sexual and reproductive health, particularly adolescent pregnancy prevention and responsible decision-making. By integrating reproductive health awareness into student orientation and engaging external health stakeholders, the Campus demonstrated its role in promoting informed health choices and strengthening collaboration between the University and local health institutions.

On March 14, 2025, as part of the Women’s Month celebration, Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), through its Gender and Development (GAD) Office in collaboration with the Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO), conducted a Wellness and Self-Care Seminar designed to promote holistic well-being and support the needs of women, particularly those from marginalized sectors. The initiative provided an avenue for members of the EVSUnista community to access health-related information, discuss personal well-being, and strengthen their awareness of the importance of self-care.

The seminar featured discussions led by Registered Psychometrician Prof. Normae C. Ecija, who emphasized mental health, emotional resilience, and practical self-care strategies for managing everyday challenges. Beyond the presentation of wellness information, the activity created a supportive space where participants could reflect on barriers to accessing wellness resources and share experiences relating to their well-being.

Through the collaboration of the GAD Office and SASO, EVSU integrated health education and gender-responsive support into its student and university-community engagement activities. The seminar demonstrated the University’s commitment to promoting inclusive access to wellness information, encouraging help-seeking behavior, and fostering an environment where women and other members of the university community can discuss health-related concerns in a supportive setting.