College Students' Engagement with SDG 5 in a Private Higher Education Institution in Laguna, Philippines: Basis for a Gender Equality Advocacy Program

This institutional study examined college students’ awareness, perceptions, and engagement with Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Employing a descriptive quantitative research design, the study surveyed 294 students from a private higher education institution in Laguna, Philippines using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a researcher-developed 60-item questionnaire that underwent expert validation and demonstrated high internal consistency based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to determine students’ level of awareness of SDG 5, participation in gender-related initiatives, and perceived preparedness to address gender issues in academic and professional contexts. Results indicated that students possessed moderate awareness and engagement, particularly in sharing gender-related information, participating in discussions, and promoting inclusive classroom interactions. However, engagement requiring sustained leadership and institutional involvement was notably limited. Students also reported encountering and responding to gender bias to a moderate degree and perceived gender equality as having a positive influence on mental health and well-being, highlighting the interconnection between gender equity and holistic student development. Based on these findings, the study proposes a Gender Equality Advocacy and Leadership Framework to enhance curriculum integration, expand student participation, strengthen institutional support systems, and promote student-led initiatives. The study contributes to the ongoing discourse on SDG mainstreaming in higher education and underscores the crucial role of academic institutions in transforming gender equality awareness into sustained, empowered, and actionable student agency.