EMPOWERING WOMEN DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY: A NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE EXTENSION PROGRAM BABAYI (BULIG KAG AMOMA SA BABAYI IPABATYAG)

This study identifies the educational needs of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), focusing on women, to develop an effective extension program. Employing a cross-sectional survey method, 74 women PDLs were randomly selected and assessed using an adapted survey instrument. The results highlight significant literacy-related needs, with a focus on basic reading comprehension in Hiligaynon, Filipino, and English, emphasizing the necessity for multilingual literacy programs. Additionally, respondents identified writing application letters as crucial for their reintegration, underlining the importance of practical communication skills. The data further reveals a demand for skills in storytelling and task completion, indicating a desire for self-expression and functional literacy. Numeracy needs are equally pressing, with participants prioritizing basic arithmetic operations, essential for managing personal finances and enhancing employability. Other key skills include solving mathematical problems and estimating material quantities, highlighting the relevance of contextualized learning in real-world applications. The study also addresses entrepreneurial skills, with respondents underscoring the importance of financial literacy, relationship management, and strategic planning for personal empowerment and community development. Based on these findings, the extension program BuligkagAmomasaBabayiIpabatyag (BABAYI) is proposed, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and livelihood training. Through tailored educational initiatives and partnerships with local organizations, stakeholders can facilitate the successful reintegration of women PDLs, reducing recidivism and enhancing their contributions to society.