Empowering Global Learners and Promoting Equity

This trend continued in 2023, with an even higher percentage of women from first-generation backgrounds entering college. Wherein the proportion increased to 48.89%, with 71 out of 110 (64.54%) first-generation female students starting their college journey.

Founded in 1993, Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) became the first private higher education institution among the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Apayao, and Kalinga, initially offering computer and vocational courses to over 100 students.

As it aims to be a center of quality education for diverse, global learners, providing holistic, accessible, and inclusive education to develop responsible global citizens and leaders. Committed to gender equality, CCDC goes beyond government mandates to integrate Gender and Development (GAD) in all its operations, aligning with the Philippines’ goals for inclusivity.

CCDC’s efforts include supporting first-generation female students, improving access, increasing senior female academics, and fostering a safe, inclusive environment. The institution’s gender and development initiatives promote equity, highlighting women’s contributions across various sectors and ensuring fair access to resources.

Proportion

The increasing proportion of first-generation female students at CCDC highlights a significant shift toward greater educational access for women from families with limited higher education backgrounds. In 2022, 45.94% of women comprised the total number of students beginning a degree, with 81 out of 147 (55.10%) being first-generation female students, marking them as the first women in their families to pursue higher education, breaking barriers to education and setting a powerful example for future generations. 

Access

In 2022, CCDC saw a 2.95% increase in female student enrollment, reflecting its commitment to gender equality through an Open Admission Policy that ensures all applicants, regardless of gender, are accepted. This inclusive approach is further supported by scholarship data, with women consistently making up more than half of both external and internal scholarship recipients in 2023, demonstrating the institution’s support for female academic success.

CCDC also promotes gender equality through career guidance sessions in local high schools, encouraging young women to pursue underrepresented fields like Criminology. These efforts challenge traditional gender roles, empowering women to break barriers and contribute to social and economic development in their communities.

Participation

The high representation of female senior academic staff at CCDC—65.78% in the first half of 2023 and 66.67% in the second half—significantly advances gender equality within the institution. 

This growing female leadership reflects CCDC’s commitment to a gender-inclusive environment, where women are encouraged to take on key roles. It fosters a more diverse and equitable academic culture, benefiting both students and the broader community by challenging gender norms and creating equal opportunities for growth.

Completion

The increase in female graduates at CCDC reflects significant progress in gender equality. In 2022, women made up 63.50% of all graduates, up from 45.22% in 2021. In STEM courses, 100% of graduates were women in 2022, up from 88% in 2021, showcasing women’s growing presence in traditionally male-dominated fields.

 In Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences, female graduates rose from 33.33% in 2021 to 60.11% in 2022, indicating greater gender balance across disciplines. These trends highlight the institution’s success in empowering women and promoting gender equality in education.

Welfare

Guided by the principles of gender equity, sensitivity, non-discrimination, and human rights, CCDC integrates these values into its governance, curriculum, student services, and activities. This commitment is outlined in the CCDC Student Handbook, which emphasizes the importance of gender mainstreaming in education and the protection of students from all forms of gender-related violence, abuse, and discrimination. The policies are designed to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

The impact of these efforts is clearly evident in the student body, where the proportion of female graduates has consistently risen. In 2022, there was a 6.36% increase in women’s graduation rates, this 2023, the rate increased by 17.62%. These figures show the growing empowerment of women within the institution. 

Moreover, in 2021, 73.22% of students who accessed mentoring and counseling services were female, and in 2022, this figure remained high at 57.47%, indicating that women are actively seeking support to excel in their studies.

CCDC’s gender-responsive policies also extend to its employees. The institution offers maternity leave benefits to female staff, with six employees availing of the benefit in 2021. Additionally, CCDC supports work-life balance for all employees by providing childcare facilities. These facilities are available for both students and staff, allowing parents to bring their children to campus and access spaces where they can safely play or study. This support helps create a more inclusive environment for those balancing family and work or study commitments.

Further reinforcing its commitment to gender equality, CCDC has clear policies that protect employees and students from discrimination. These policies ensure that individuals reporting discrimination are protected from any educational or employment disadvantage, fostering a fair and supportive environment for all.

In the wider community, CCDC’s inclusive approach has had a ripple effect, encouraging students—especially women—to pursue higher education and professional development in traditionally underrepresented fields, such as science, technology, economics, and mathematics.

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