2024 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women





Campaign Background


Violence Against Women (VAW) is a pervasive social problem not just in the Philippines but worldwide, affecting an estimated 1 in 3 women. The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveals that nearly 1 out of 5 women have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence by their current or most recent husband or intimate partner. In 2023 alone, 8,055 cases classified under the Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004) were reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP).


Despite significant progress made through the years, much remains to be done as the journey toward equality is long and challenging. According to the Global Gender Gap 2024 Insight Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), it will take 134 years to achieve full gender parity. This staggering number translates to five generations beyond the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 target of achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. 

Resources

DISCLAIMER: The 2024 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) is strictly non-partisan and not an election-related activity. To maintain the focus on the advocacy, please refrain from using PCW-produced materials for political gains.


Nonetheless, there is still hope, as every Filipino has the power to help end VAW, and OUR TIME TO ACT IS NOW. With the goal to be a VAW-free country, the Philippines – being the most gender equal country in Asia and ranking 25th out of 146 economies in this year’s Global Gender Gap Index – has been working tirelessly to make gender equality a lived reality. 


As early as 1987, the country enshrined gender equality into its Constitution and introduced  a new Family Code to eliminate many discriminatory legal provisions. Even before  joining the global campaign of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in 2002, landmark legislations like RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) and RA 8353 (The Anti-Rape Law of 1997) were already enacted. Additionally, RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004) were also signed into law before the 16 Days National Campaign was extended to 18 days by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1172, Series of 2006. 




Since the onset of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women in the Philippines in 2008, other VAW-related laws have also been signed and amended: RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2013), RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act) in 2019, RA 11648 (an act amending RA 8353 or The Anti-Rape Law of 1997) in 2022, RA 11862 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022), among others. 


As defined in RA 9262, VAW refers to “any act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the family abode, which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.”


However, VAW is not just a concern of women or the victim-survivors themselves. VAW is, in fact, a universal issue  that affects all genders hence, the term gender-based violence (GBV).


VAW, as a tool of patriarchy, is a severe violation of women’s human rights and a significant   social development issue. While it may originate in the home, VAW has a far-reaching effect  on society, as women and girls are considered half of the nation’s population. Moreover, VAW is a major global health crisis that adversely affects individual’s physical, sexual, emotional, mental, and economic well-being.


Since 2016, violations of various VAW-related laws have been reported to the PNP and recorded in their Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS). While numbers of some reported cases decreased based on the CIRAS data, the advocacy against VAW will continue as long as it prevails and perpetrators have yet to become allies in gender equality and advocates for a VAW-free community.


REPORTED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CASES20162017201820192020202120222023TOTAL
Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (RA 9262)23,79322,18816,45316,66912,4219,5617,7638,055116,903
Anti-Rape Law (RA 8353 as amended by RA 11648)2,1972,7152,5762,7442,3722,3622,3262,79120,083
Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313)01122691812844731,031
Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (RA 7877)61987510065818159620
Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 (RA 9208 as amended by RA 11862)2412402802922472882362072,031
GRAND TOTAL26,29225,24219,38519,82715,17412,47310,69011,585140,668



The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) – mandated to lead, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the nationwide yearly observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW from November 25 to December 12 – is calling for unity among all  genders and sectors of society to finally put an end  to violence in  all its forms.


With the 2022-2027 recurring campaign theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines” and its 2024 sub-theme, “VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras!” the PCW highlights the urgency of the advocacy in line with the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004 (RA 9262).


The 2024 campaign remains  aligned with the United Nations’ “UNiTE by 2030 to End VAW” initiative, of which the Philippines is one of  the 51 charter members. UNiTE is a multiyear effort that calls on  duty-bearers, civil society and non-governmental organizations, the private sector, media entities, the youth, and UN member states to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.




Through the 2024 18-day Campaign to End VAW, the PCW aims to: 

  • Highlight 20 years of achievements in addressing VAW by marking two decades of the Anti-VAWC Act (RA 9262); 
  • Raise public awareness about the various forms and impact of VAW, while emphasizing that VAW is a public crime and encourage safe, effective interventions in preventing and addressing VAW within their communities, particularly in public spaces; 
  • Encourage individuals, communities, and government to work together to create a comprehensive response to VAW with strong focus on prevention; 
  • Empower survivors by disseminating information on available support services and resources, fostering a society that empowers survivors to seek justice and rebuild their lives; and
  • Launch the National Action Plan to End VAW (NAPEVAW), which lays down the roadmap toward eliminating VAW in the country. 



The PCW, in partnership with key agencies and organizations, will conduct the following activities to observe the 2024 18-day Campaign to End VAW: 



On the first day of the campaign (November 25, 2024), the PCW, in collaboration  with the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC), will hold  an onsite program to unveil preliminary findings from the RA 9262 assessment, launch the NAPEVAW, discuss  the crucial role of Barangay VAW Desks, and feature victim-survivors who have benefitted from the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004. 



In line with the “Iisang Nasyon. Iisang Aksyon. Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Tapusin ang Human Trafficking Ngayon!” campaign of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), the PCW will intensify its anti-trafficking efforts and create compelling materials to raise public awareness about trafficking in persons (TIP) during the campaign period.



The PCW will install this timeline exhibit at the campaign’s kick-off ceremony to chronicle the nation’s progress in the fight against VAW and inspire continued commitment to this important  cause. 



With an aim to spark awareness and collective action on VAW, the #OrangeYourIcon enjoins government offices, private institutions, and other participating stakeholders nationwide to illuminate their most prominent landmarks and iconic sites in orange. The UNiTE Campaign uses orange to represent a bright and optimistic future that is free from violence against women and girls.



Throughout the campaign period, the PCW will run the  “Do the Macho Choir” Challenge inspired from the “Macho Choir” radio plugs, which features three 30-second nursery rhymes about catcalling. Participants are encouraged to creatively reimagine these radio plugs into engaging video formats by singing, dancing, acting, or sharing their personal takeaways on catcalling and other forms of harassment that can lead to violence.



#VAWfreePH is the official hashtag for the 18-day Campaign to End VAW. The PCW is encouraging everyone to join the online campaign by using this hashtag on their VAW-related social media posts. 



Aside from the official campaign hashtag, the PCW also encourages the use of #FilipinoMarespeto and #SafeSpacesKasaliTayo. Through these hashtags, the public can foster a culture of respect, inspire others to address gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH), and create safer spaces for all.



Under this hashtag, the public can post their “Stop VAW” photos captioned with personal thoughts and suggestions on how to achieve a VAW-free Philippines.





In addition to participating in the PCW-led campaign activities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, sectoral groups, private entities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders at the national, regional, and local levels are encouraged  to conduct their own activities to observe the 2024 18-day Campaign to End VAW.



VAW-related presentations and other campaign materials can be shown in flag ceremonies throughout  the campaign period, including the All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang video.



The official campaign banner can be printed (with the participating stakeholders’ own logo) and displayed at conspicuous places in their respective offices and landmarks.



  • Upload the official campaign logo, banner, advocacy videos, and other materials on websites and social media accounts.
  • Share VAW-related news, articles, photos, and other relevant information online using #VAWfreePH and other campaign hashtags.
  • Use the 18-day Campaign to End VAW Facebook Profile Frame, which is available on the PCW Facebook page.
  • Download, send, and use VAW digital sticker packs on messaging platforms like Viber and Telegram.


Develop, produce, and distribute updated VAW-related information, education, and communication (IEC) materials during the campaign period. PCW-produced publication materials may also be printed and used, provided that the original content, design, and integrity of the materials are retained. 



VAW-related videos produced by the PCW may be shown publicly via electronic billboards, television/radio programs, and other platforms or venues (To download for free, visit the PCW Digital GAD Library, PCW YouTube channel, and PCW Facebook page.



Set up The Orange Exhibit: Journey towards a VAW-free Philippines at the stakeholders’ offices within the campaign period. Stakeholders may also develop their own version of the “Orange Exhibit” to chronicle agencies’ achievements in the fight against VAW.



Organize relevant, timely, and impactful activities such as discussions, orientations, and learning sessions on VAW, anti-VAW laws, and VAW services during the campaign period for both internal and external stakeholders.



Coordinate and collaborate with other government regional offices or local government units (LGUs) to  hold activities related to the 18-day Campaign to End VAW.



Organize activities that emphasize positive masculinity and the crucial roles of male advocates in anti-VAW advocacy.