Nineteen detainees at the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory graduated college.

The female Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) obtained their college diplomas through the Alternative Learning System, which was brought about by a collaboration among the Quezon City Government, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Quezon City University.

“This moment is not merely the culmination of your hard work and perseverance; it represents a pivotal transformation in your lives, a chance to rewrite your narratives and embrace new possibilities,” the Guest of Honor and Speaker for the “momentous” event, Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez told the graduates.

She said their journey serves as a reminder that all have the right to rise up, change, and begin anew. Calling them “role models, trailblazers, and advocates for change,” she hoped their stories would inspire people to believe in their value and potential and entreated them to uphold the rights and dignities of all women.