The Supreme Court (SC) is working toward building a judiciary that’s more inclusive, compassionate and responsive.

Supreme Court Associate Justice (AJ)Jean Paul Inting highlighted this vision during the third Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) for the judiciary in Bohol, held 30 July to 1 August at the Modal Beach Resort in Panglao.

AJ Inting, a proud Boholano, emphasized in his opening remarks the SC’s ongoing effort to embed gender mainstreaming in the Judiciary. He said, “We are moving towards creating a judiciary that is inherently more inclusive, more compassionate, and truly responsive.”

The training was led by Associate Justices Inting and Jhosep Y. Lopez, co-chairpersons of the SC Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary (CGRJ). It aimed to strengthen gender awareness and encourage gender responsive practices among judges and court personnel in the province.

This effort transcends simple policy adjustments or procedural changes; it is a profound reaffirmation of our core responsibility: “to ensure that justice is not just administered, but genuinely experienced by everyone.”

He encouraged the participants to view the training as a catalyst for change that sparks dialogue, challenges old mindsets, and inspires lasting action. He added that these steps will help the Judiciary uphold dignity, promote equality, and respond to society’s changing needs.

Justice Inting also noted that the GST forms part of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI), instituted by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.

“The SPJI envisions a Judiciary that is ‘modern, transparent, efficient, and accountable’ — one that responds effectively to the evolving needs of our society. In line with that vision, gender sensitivity is not a peripheral concern, but a central pillar of judicial excellence. It affirms that justice must be rooted not only in law, but in fairness, empathy, and inclusion.”

Justice Lopez took a pioneering role as the first SC Justice to serve as a resource person for the GST initiatives under the SPJI. On the last day, he gave a lecture on “Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette,” a key feature of the Revised GST Module of the CGRJ.

“[T]his training goes beyond refining language or correcting behavior. It is about cultivating a deeper understanding of respect, inclusion, and dignity for all individuals, regardless of sex, gender identity, or expression.”