SDG 5 - Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
5.3 - Student access measures
Committed to advancing gender equity and expanding educational opportunities, our university actively implements proactive measures to ensure women have equal access to higher education.
This section outlines our institutional policies, targeted outreach programs, financial aid options, and inclusive support systems designed to eliminate systemic barriers facing female applicants. Through these dedicated initiatives, we foster an empowering academic environment where women from all backgrounds are supported to enter, excel in, and complete their higher education journey.
5.3.1 - Tracking access measures
Leyte Normal University endeavors to ensure that all students, regardless of their gender, are afforded equitable opportunities to pursue education that is sensitive to their unique needs and fosters their inherent potential, thereby empowering them to contribute meaningfully as productive members of the community. The rise in the enrollment of women in educational institutions is indicative of a significant increase in gender inclusivity and participation within school-related endeavors that acknowledge and honor diverse forms of expression
In the university setting, it is imperative to ensure that women are provided with equitable opportunities in both academic and co-curricular pursuits, allowing them to fully develop and harness their potential. LNU consistently demonstrates its commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and service by ensuring that students, regardless of their gender, receive comprehensive support, mentoring, and academic assistance to facilitate their holistic development.
A.Y. 2020-2021
The data was taken from the Admission Office’s list of applicants and admissions for the School Year 2020-2021.
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Report on Women’s application rate at the university. Out of 3,876 applicants, there were 2,835 (73%) female senior high school students/transferees who applied to the university last 2020.
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Report on Women’s admission rate at the university. Out of 1,721 accepted students, there were 1,162 (68%) female students admitted to the university last 2020.
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Report on Women’s study completion rate at the university. For the LNU graduate class of 2020, there were 458 graduates, 315 (69%) of which were female graduates. Meanwhile, for the graduate class of 2021, out of 304 graduates, 200 (66%) of which were female graduates. Lastly, there were 1,275 (72%) female graduates out of 1,774 graduates during the 2022 graduation commencement exercises. It should be noted that due to the K to 12 program transition, the graduates from the graduate classes of 2020 and 2021 were from the old curriculum. Also, the first batch of the K to12 curriculum graduated this 2022. This explains why there were fewer graduates from the graduate classes of 2020 and 2021 in comparison with the graduate class of 2022.
A.Y. 2021-2023
Based on the enrollment count of LNU students across the different programs and from the different year levels, the application rate of women continued to increase in every academic year. Out of 3, 916 students for the 1st semester of AY 2021-202, 2972 (75.90 %) were female. However, during the second semester of AY 2021-2022, 2873 (76.55 %) were female among the 3, 753 enrolled students. On the other hand, during the 1st semester of AY 2022-2023, there were 5, 322 (71%) female students comprising the 7524 total number of enrollees for the said term. It’s also evident that there is a high number of accepted female students for the second semester of AY 2022-2023 wherein 5043 (71%) among the 7,124 enrollees were female.
A.Y. 2024-2025
For Academic Year 2024–2025, the university recorded 7,493 total first-year applicants (5,105 female and 2,388 male), 2,241 qualified candidates (1,452 female and 789 male), and 1,719 final enrollees (1,145 female and 618 male). Women consistently represent approximately two-thirds of the student population across all three stages of the admissions funnel.
Program selection shows distinct demographic trends, with Education, Social Work, Humanities, and Biology (BSBIO) demonstrating strong female participation, whereas Information Technology (BSIT) remains male-dominated with 132 male enrollees compared to 51 females. Additionally, business and hospitality disciplines reflect a more even gender balance, while the noticeable drop-off between qualified applicants and final enrollees highlights key opportunities for targeted student recruitment, financial support, and retention initiatives.
5.3.2 - Policy for women applications and entry
Leyte Normal University provides clear and inclusive guidelines on student application and entry in the university regardless of gender and race. Anchored on the mandates of the LNU Layag GAD Code, the university ensures that women are given the equal chance to be admitted in the campus and be given access to services offered by the university. The code highlights the equal participation and representation of women in the university recognizing fundamental equality before the law of women and men (Article II, Sec. 14).
Students’ Access Schemes
As an academic institution, LNU provides various access schemes to all students across disciplines. Women are given opportunities for scholarships, mentoring, and other targeted support. Based on the data from the Guidance and Testing Office, there is a high number of women in the university who are given scholarships funded by various government and non-government organizations. Apart from this, they are also provided with services related to mentoring, counseling, and others.
During the AY 2021-2022, out of the 1652 scholars in the university, 1, 280 (77%) were women. However, out of 2,375 recipients of government and private funded scholarships, there were 1,780 (75 %) grantees were women during the AY 2022-2023. This data shows that women in the university are given equal access to opportunities that can contribute to the development of their full potentials.
5.3.3 - Women's access schemes
The total number of scholars and grantees across all scholarship types is 4,629, with a higher proportion of female recipients (69.5%) compared to male recipients (30.5%). This distribution shows a significant gender disparity favoring females.
In the LNU Incentive Package, out of 455 recipients, 53.8% are female, and 46.2% are male, indicating a relatively balanced gender distribution. However, the Government Funded Scholarship Grant program has the largest number of recipients, accounting for 88.5% of all scholars, with 2,920 females (71.3%) and 1,177 males (28.7%). This scholarship type reflects a substantial gender imbalance, with females considerably outnumbering males.
In the Privately Funded Scholarship category, which is the smallest group with 77 total recipients, females again make up a majority (67.5%), while males represent 32.5%. Overall, the data suggests that females are more frequently awarded scholarships and grants across all types, with the most pronounced gender disparity in government-funded programs.
Table 1. Overview of LNU's Women Access Schemes
| Scholarship Type | Female | Male | Total | Percentage (Female) | Percentage (Male) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LNU Incentive Package |
245 |
210 |
455 |
53.8% |
46.2% |
|
Government Funded Scholarship Grant |
2,920 |
1,177 |
4,097 |
71.3% |
28.7% |
|
Privately Funded |
52 |
25 |
77 |
67.5% |
32.5% |
|
TOTAL |
3,217 |
1,412 |
4,629 |
69.5% |
30.5% |
5.3.4 - Women’s application in underrepresented subjects
In the context of striving for gender equality within the academic sphere, LNU acknowledged and address the persistent issue of women’s and the vulnerable sector’s underrepresentation in specific fields. In order to effectively address this matter, the university adopted a proactive approach by actively engaging in outreach and collaborative initiatives with various institutions and community groups with ensured quality and relevance.
The Leyte Normal University outreach programs have the potential to significantly contribute to the dismantling of barriers that impede women, children and the vulnerable sectors’ participation in underrepresented subjects. Through the implementation of mentorship programs and the facilitation of awareness workshops, universities have the potential to cultivate an environment that empowers and encourages female members of the community and the underrepresented groups to pursue their academic passions, free from the limitations imposed by gender stereotypes.
The collaboration with other universities and community institutions play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and influence of these endeavors. Facilitating the exchange of best practices, resources, and experiences among institutions fosters a collaborative learning environment, allowing for the implementation of effective strategies to tackle the pervasive issue of gender inequality. Joint initiatives encompass a range of collaborative endeavors, such as interdisciplinary projects, research partnerships, and exchange programs, which collectively contribute to fostering a more inclusive educational landscape. By establishing robust pipelines for mentorship and career development, these groups play a pivotal role in fortifying the support networks accessible to women who are embarking on non-traditional academic trajectories.
