WHO says girls’ school uniforms have to be skirts? Not Sen. Raffy Tulfo.

Tulfo has filed a bill seeking to promote “gender-neutral” uniforms in schools, which he said means giving female students the option to wear pants or trousers as part of their uniform, and not confining them to wearing a skirt.

“All schools, colleges, and universities shall provide female students a pants option for their uniform, in addition to their traditional skirt,” his bill states. 

The measure is silent on giving male students the option to wear skirts.

Tulfo’s bill says the state should promote gender equality and eliminate discrimination, including in the choice of uniforms in learning institutions from elementary to college.

“The convenience of wearing pants or trousers should be available for all. Women should not be restricted to wearing skirts as their choice of uniform in schools, colleges, or universities,” it states.

What’s the big deal?

According to Tulfo, gender-neutral uniform options are important for creating a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students.

It allows them to move and express themselves freely and authentically without fear of discrimination or harassment,”

Sen. Raffy Tulfo

He pointed out that skirts have been used as identifiers for women, and trousers for men.

But women should be given the option to wear what they want to promote a gender-neutral environment, and for their own comfort as well, he said. 

In doing so, we ensure students and their parents are fully aware of the choices available and we increase the likelihood that students will wear what they feel most comfortable in,”

Sen. Raffy Tulfo

It could also help to improve the self-esteem of girls facing body challenges and provide them with psychological well-being, he added. 

Wearing pants or trousers as uniforms should be a right for female students as this would create a more inclusive and equitable educational environment for all students, he further said. 

Practical reasons 

There are also several practical reasons why allowing female students to wear trousers as part of their uniform makes sense, the Senator said. 

Tulfo said it would be easier for them to ride a motorcycle, which is fast becoming a popular mode of public transportation, if they are wearing pants. 

Wearing pants, as well as long-sleeved shirts, would also help protect students from dengue, he said.

In the previous year, the country recorded 220,000 dengue cases, he noted.

Our students require greater safety as classes also coincide with the rainy season where dengue cases are at peak. With all the other efforts the educational institutions take such as regular search and eradication of mosquito-breeding sites, self-protection is also a must,”

Sen. Raffy Tulfo

PLM’s own gender-neutral uniform policy 

A gender-neutral uniform policy is not exactly new in the country.

Last year, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila issued an administrative order removing sex-based guidelines for school uniforms.

This allows lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual students to wear the uniform for females if they want to.

PLM President Emmanuel Leyco said the move was intended to show that the school is inclusive and provides a safe space for students. 

“This is a simple yet meaningful gesture to demonstrate that PLM is a safe space for academic freedom and gender expression,” Leyco said in a statement.