MRQ # 2: What are the specific instances in gender-based oppression faced by women pursuing a

BSIT degree at Bulacan State University?

Theme #2: “Skills doesn’t look on gender; PEOPLE ARE”

DESCRIPTION: Despite the fact that people today have the freedom to choose whatever path they will
take in their life, some traditionalists continue to romanticize gender stereotypes. This theme highlights
the experiences of female BSIT students, in relation to prejudice towards women both within the
university and in their communities. This theme seeks to understand the viewpoint on how society
perceives women's abilities.

Results and Discussion

F2, F3, F4 and F5 stated that there is always a connotation that a BSIT course is exclusively intended for
men and not for women. They also affirm that they feel degraded as they were always treated unfairly due
to their gender and because people have low expectations for them as they pursue a BSIT course.
However, F1 pointed out that she has not experienced challenges or gender-based discrimination while
pursuing a BSIT degree. Moreover, F2, F4 and F5 claimed that they don’t personally experience gender
biases in educational settings, on the other hand, the experience of F3 can be classified as humiliation as
she being devalued just because of her gender. On a more explicit note, F1 feels that women are being
belittled as she observed that teacher and school staff only nominates male students for positions which
last for six consecutive years.
In their respective communities, F1, F2, and F3 asserted that they don’t experience any discrimination
because of their gender. However, the experience of F4 and F5 can be categorized as catcalling, in a more
serious matter, F4 also experienced sexual harassment.
The researchers found out that the informants often experience gender-based bias in the academe as they
are mocked solely based on their gender. Moreover, the informants' experiences in their community
differ from one another. Although the majority doesn’t have experience, they have encountered it in mild
to moderate forms. On a serious note, some have encountered it in severe and explicit forms. Silva et al.
(2020) supported that female computer science students experienced a variety of gender-based issues such
as lack of representation, crimes and depreciation and low sense of belonging. Silvas’ study showed how
the experiences of female computer students, as reported by the informants, are widespread and include
things like low sense of belonging experienced by F3, lack of representation experienced by F1, and
crimes and depreciation experienced by F4.

REFERENCES

Silva, U. F., Ferreira, D. J., Ambrosio, A. P. L., & Oliveira, J. L. (2020). Problem Faced by Female
Computer Science Undergraduates: A Systematic Review. Retrieved from
https://www.scielo.br/j/ep/a/M4W8kqJcTxBcCQhjpYsyMpR/?format=pdf&lang=en#:~:text=The
%20literature%20points%20out%20many,usually%20extending%20throughout%20their
%20careers.