author Grace Chong
“The children need books that will teach them the value of gender equality.” This was one of the striking statements that published and award-winning author Grace Chong said to a crowd of high school students during a forum on gender sensitivity last September 27 at the Sacred Heart Center. It was organized by the Z Club of Childlink High School in cooperation with the Zonta Club of Cebu II.
The forum, which was titled “The Impact Of Teenage Book Choices In Addressing Gender Identities And Norm”, focused mainly on how books play a crucial role in shaping the minds of children and adolescents toward gender equality at a very young age. Moreover, Chong stressed out in her talk that as early as the age of 1 year old, children must be introduced to books that will help them form a bias-free outlook and attitude on the role of men and women in attaining development in the society.
Directress of Childlink HS Ma. Theresa Tio said that the forum is in line with Zonta’s mission as an organization which is to empower young leaders who will be the future gamechangers of the society. Gender sensitivity is only one of Zonta’s four advocacies which they crusade by going to different communities and engaging its members through various consciousness-raising activities.
