2010 18-Day Campaign to End VAW
Campaign Brief
Since 2002, from November 25 to December 12 of every year, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in collaboration with national government agencies and non-government organizations has led the annual campaign to end violence against women (VAW). The first two years of our Campaign focused on awareness raising on VAW which led to the passage of two landmark legislations: RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004).
The succeeding years focused on the popularization of these two newly-passed laws, including the other anti-VAW laws on rape and sexual harassment, strengthening their implementation at the national and local level, and building a network of male advocates against VAW. The last two years of the campaign focused on the involvement of the local government units and the judiciary in anti-VAW efforts, through the Gender Justice Awards and the Search for Outstanding VAW-Responsive Local Government Units.
With the passage of the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) in August 2009, government agencies and local government units are faced with the greater challenge of ensuring that the rights and opportunities of Filipino women outlined in the law are carried out. Coupled with the current anti-VAW laws, it is expected to reinforce the eradication of gender-based violence for a VAW-free society.
The 2010 18-Day Campaign shall underscore the following MCW provisions on Protection from Violence (Section 12):
- protection and security for women during conflict and emergency situations
- the creation of a VAW Desk in every barangay
Focusing on these concerns, the theme for the 18-Day Campaign is:
Magna Carta ni PiNay: Gawing Tunay
“Karahasan sa Kababaihan, Wakasan!”
In line with the theme, the following activities will be conducted from November 25 – December 12:
| November 24 | Rotary Day of Action Against VAW Time and Venue: 7:00 pm, Rotary Club Headquarters, Quezon City Target Participants: 300 male, female and youth Rotarians Lead Agency/Sponsor: Rotary Club of Quezon City |
| November 25 | Kick-off Activity – “Be Fit to Fight VAW: Self-Defense for Women” Time and Venue: 6:30 am – 10:30 am, Mendiola Target Participants: 500-1,000 female students from San Beda, La Consolacion College, Holy Spirit, Far Eastern University, Centro Escolar University, San Sebastian University and other schools from the University Belt and the consortium of exclusive girl’s school Lead Agency/Sponsor: PCW Forum on the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 Time and Venue: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, Camp Crame, Quezon City Target Participants: PNP Lead Agency/Sponsor: UN Information Center (UNIC) |
| November 26 | Forum on Women Senior Citizens and VAW (Tentative) Time and Venue: 9:00 am – 12:00 nn, Ciudad Christhia Resort, San Mateo, Rizal Target Participants: elderly women, senior citizen’s group Lead Agency/Sponsor: Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) |
| November 30 | Orientation on the Sexual Harassment Law and the Creation of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation for HR Practitioners (Tentative) Time and Venue: TBA Target Participants: human resource officers/practitioners of government offices Lead Agency/Sponsor: Civil Service Commission (CSC) Forum on Transformative Justice and Launching of “Intertwining Culture of Patriarchy, Corruption and Impunity: Journey in Advocacy for the Transformation of the Justice System” and “JAJA: Justice for Arbet, Justice for All” by Adoracion P. Cruz-Avisado Time and Venue: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Veritas Hall, Ateneo De Manila Law School Target Participants: NGO, LGU, NGA (IACVAWC, IACAT, CHR, PHRC), media reps Lead Agency/Sponsor: Transformative Justice Institute, Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), PCW, Ateneo Human Rights Center |
| December 1 | Orientation on the Role of Men and Boys in the Elimination of VAW Time and Venue: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Conrado Benitez Hall, Philippine Women’s University Target Participants: male college students from PWU and other colleges.universities within Metro Manila Lead Agency/Sponsor: Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere (MOVE Phils., Inc), Philippine Women’s University |
| December 7 | Forum on the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) Time and Venue: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, House of Representatives (HOR) Target Participants: Legislators and Congressional staff Lead Agency/Sponsor: House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, House Committee on Justice and PCW Forum on Media and Gender Equality Time and Venue: 8:00 am – 12:00 nn, SSS Conference Room Target Participants: 200 participants from media, NGOs, Gender Equality Committee (GEC) members Lead Agency/Sponsor: Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), PCW, MTRCB and GEC |
| December 8 | Stakeholders Consultation on the VAW Documentation System (Tentative) Time and Venue: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, venue to be arranged Target Participants: LGU representatives and VAW service providers Lead Agency/Sponsor: PCW |
| December 9 | Forum on Localizing the Magna Carta of Women Time and Venue: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sulo Hotel (Tentative) Target Participants: LGU representatives, NGAs, NGOs, academe, media Lead Agency/Sponsor: PCW |
How can individuals and organizations be involved
Organize your own event and invite others to join your event. Government agencies, non-government organizations, sectoral groups, private and civic organizations are enjoined to conduct their own activities in line with this year’s campaign theme. You can also invite other groups and individuals to join your event. Hanging of streamer bearing this year’s campaign theme is also encouraged. Design of the streamer may be downloaded from the Philippine Commission of Women website www.pcw.gov.ph.
Live a Life Free from VAW. A life free from VAW – it’s our right! Freedom from VAW starts with knowing and respecting each person’s rights. You can help end VAW by doing the following:
- Never commit VAW
- Never condone VAW
- Never remain silent about VAW
If you think you are a victim of VAW:
- Seek help from sympathetic family members and friends
- Report and seek the help of the barangay, social worker, police, PCW, or any of the IACVAWC and IACAT agencies.
Spread the word. Freedom from VAW is everyone’s concern. Be a firm advocate and partner in ending VAW. Know more about VAW and share the information with everyone. Support efforts within your school, workplace of community to eliminate VAW.
