The Cavite State University (CvSU), through its Gender and Development (GAD) Resource Center, hosted a seminar titled One Health in the Post-COVID World on March 5, 2025.
Held at the Babaylan Training Room, this event brought together faculty members and students from various colleges, including the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS), the College of Nursing (CON), the College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR), the College of Medicine (COM), and the Department of Biological Sciences under the College of Arts and Sciences (DBS-CAS).
The seminar aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the One Health approach and its gender dimensions while fostering practical skills and interdisciplinary collaboration. One Health recognizes the intricate connections between human, animal, and environmental health, emphasizing the need for a collective response to global health challenges. A gender-responsive perspective ensures that health policies and interventions acknowledge and address the unique experiences, risks, and roles of all individuals, regardless of gender identity.
Dr. Ma. Cynthia R. Dela Cruz, Officer-in-Charge of the GAD Resource Center, set the stage with her opening remarks, stressing the importance of integrating gender-sensitive strategies into One Health policies. She emphasized that gender influences access to healthcare, exposure to risks, and participation in health solutions. By recognizing these disparities, inclusive and equitable interventions can be developed, ensuring that One Health initiatives benefit all members of society.
A highlight of the seminar was the lecture by Dr. Marcy J. Souza, Associate Dean and Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Veterinary Medicine. She provided valuable insights into multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing zoonotic diseases and preventing future pandemics. Dr. Souza also underscored the necessity of diverse perspectives in developing One Health initiatives, advocating for equal representation and participation of individuals of all genders in health research and decision-making.
Dr. Rezin C. Bahia, Dean of CVMBS, concluded the seminar by presenting CvSU’s proposed One Health Center. This initiative aims to promote optimal health outcomes by recognizing and addressing the interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. The center will actively integrate gender-responsive research and outreach programs, ensuring that health solutions are equitable and inclusive.
The seminar served as a crucial platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration among experts and students, reinforcing CvSU’s role as a champion of gender-inclusive, sustainable, and effective health strategies in the post-COVID world.
