Bagong Pilipinas is a VAW-free Pilipinas: President Marcos supports PCW’s call for unity against gender-based violence
President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. urged everyone to do their part in creating a united and Violence Against Women (VAW)-free Philippines in support of the national 18-day Campaign to End VAW of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), observed on November 25 to December 12 of every year.
As part of the PCW’s call for unity among every Filipino (including the younger generation) for a VAW-free Philippines, participants of the “Bawat Pilipino para sa VAW-free Pilipinas” onsite program held yesterday at the GSIS Theater lit up their orange light sticks to signify their support to the national 18-day Campaign to End VAW. The campaign’s color, orange, is in accordance with the UN Secretary General’s choice for the UNiTE to End VAW Campaign and is used to represent hope and future free from violence for all women and girls.
As the forefront policy-making and coordinating body on concerns regarding women empowerment and gender equality, the Philippine Commission on Women bears the responsibility of championing and safeguarding women’s sociocultural, economic, civil, and political rights,” President Marcos said in a written statement sent to PCW.
He commended the Women’s Commission for sustaining the gains achieved by Filipino women throughout history and underscoring their roles in fostering peace and justice in the country by tirelessly working in the formulation of inclusive projects. He is also optimistic that through the 18-day Campaign, the PCW will enlighten the public on the legislations and amendments protecting women from all kinds of violence.
“I humbly urge you, along with your partner agencies and sectors, to implement the VAW-related laws and streamline its procedures so that you can provide timely and appropriate services to VAW victims and survivors, even as you convict and rehabilitate perpetrators,” he said.
In addition, President Marcos called on government agencies and instrumentalities to fully enforce all programs and policies pertaining to the security and empowerment of women in the Philippine society.
“While this is not an easy task to accomplish, I am confident that, with our sustained and vigilant efforts, we can build a world where women are freed from the fear of discrimination, abuse, and violence,” he stated.
The President concluded his message of support by declaring his utmost faith that “all of us will serve as a groundswell of strength and solace for Filipinas as we help them define their identity, pursue their development, and lead a life of true freedom and dignity.”
In line with President Marcos’ vision of a fairer and more empowered nation, PCW Executive Director and Officer-in-Charge Atty. Kristine Rosary E. Yuzon-Chaves called for unity among every Filipino to help end the VAW phenomenon.
Atty. Yuzon-Chaves highlighted the power of individual and collective actions toward a VAW-free nation in her welcome remarks at the “Bawat Pilipino para sa VAW-free Pilipinas” onsite program. She mentioned that this mantra “captures the commitment of every Filipino in building a society free from gender-based violence” and emphasized that it is “our call of action, a reminder of our crucial role in fostering equality and empowerment.”
“As what the recurring theme, ‘UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines’, entails, let us remember that our collective strength is a force that knows no bounds and our shared determination can break the chains of VAW,” Atty. Yuzon-Chaves said in a video message aired on PCW’s social media accounts on November 25 during the 18-day Campaign online kick-off.
To further address VAW, Atty. Yuzon-Chaves specified three concrete and strengthened actions: (1) eradicating harmful gender norms and stereotypes that lead to VAW, (2) never tolerating VAW, and (3) demanding accountability and actions that are prompt, appropriate, adequate, and gender-sensitive.
She even encouraged all agencies, non-governmental organizations, educational and training institutions, private companies, law enforcement agencies, media institutions, legislators, local government units and barangays, and private stakeholders to join the PCW in their goal of ending all forms of VAW.
“Together, we will challenge and dismantle the oppression, stereotypes, and silence that perpetuate VAW. UNiTEd, we will stand resolute and unfazed until the day when VAW is but a dark chapter in history, never to be written again, because what we will be having then is a Bagong Pilipinas: a VAW-free country where all women are safe, empowered, and equal to men,” Atty. Yuzon-Chaves declared.
The PCW, in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC), also held the “Bawat Pilipino para sa VAW-free Pilipinas” onsite program on November 28 at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Theater in Pasay City.
One of the highlights of the “Bawat Pilipino para sa VAW-free Pilipinas” onsite program was the launching of the IACVAWC website. In this photo, heads and representatives from the PCW and IACVAWC held a letter to complete the URL: iacvawc.gov.ph. Standing from left to right are: Undersecretary Villar representing DSWD, Mr. Reynaldo Cusi from the DILG Community Capacity Development Division, PCW Executive Director and OIC Atty. Yuzon-Chaves, Ms. Mary Joy Mantilla of the CSC Office for Human Resource Management and Development, CHR Center for Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights OIC Atty. Krissi Shaffina Twyla Rubin, DOJ Assistant Secretary Anika Gran-Ong, Police Major Meriel Editha Reyes from the PNP Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Division, Ms. Mary Grace Sumayao representing DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, DepEd National Educator’s Academy of the Philippines Director Leah Apao, DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Santos Benavidez, Atty. Yehlen Agus of the NBI Violence Against Women and Children Division, and PCW Corporate Affairs and Information Resource Management Division Chief Honey Castro.
In attendance were top ranking officials and representatives from the GSIS and IACVAWC member agencies namely, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other participating agencies and organizations.
On behalf of GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, Executive Vice President Dionisio C. Ebdane Jr. delivered the opening remarks and called on everyone to strive together for a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.
EVP Ebdane said that GSIS PGM Veloso, being a GAD focal person, is fully committed to supporting the efforts of PCW in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. He added that GSIS encourages “an environment of open dialogue wherein every perspective is heard and every idea is valued”. He also thanked PCW for tirelessly championing this cause and for their fervent dedication to fostering a more gender-equal society.
“Our gathering today represents a collective vow as we embark on the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women. We would like to amplify the voices of survivors, to validate their experiences, and pledge our support. Their courage, resilience, and determination motivate us to double our efforts in creating a better society where violence against women and children has no place,” EVP Ebdane said.
Meanwhile, in her Keynote Address, DILG Undersecretary Atty. Margarita N. Gutierrez shared DILG’s efforts in addressing VAW at the barangay level and encouraged the public to join the concerted efforts of the government to stop violence.
DILG Undersecretary Gutierrez extended her deepest gratitude to PCW and IACVAWC for spearheading the meaningful event and declared her faith in this endeavor as it will “further expand our advocacy to eradicate VAWC, which needs our concerted, timely, and effective response and solution.” The PCW is under the supervision of the DILG pursuant to Executive Order No. 67, series of 2018.
“We must remember that the fight against VAW is not an individual struggle but a collective endeavor. Let’s rise as advocates, leaders, and champions of safer, more humane, and more just society aligned with our vision of a Bagong Pilipinas that is in service to all Filipinos regardless of gender,” Atty. Gutierrez stated.
For her part, DSWD Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay Villar presented the national VAW situationer based on the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Crime Incident Reporting and Analysis Survey of the PNP, and the respective database of the Child Protection Network Foundation (CPN), DILG, DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit, and Public Attorneys Office (PAO). Usec. Villar also reported that the total cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) have decreased by half, from 26,494 in 2017 to 12,360 in 2022.
Aside from reporting the current VAW data in the Philippines, DSWD Undersecretary Villar encouraged the advocates present during the 18-day Campaign onsite event to read about the Anti-VAWC Law, share information about it, and post on social media accounts their photos holding their right arm up, making a stop sign, with their left arm below it, also known as the Stop VAW hand gesture.
On the eve of the 18-day Campaign, the PCW also joined forces with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and SM Cares with an SM Mall of Asia (MOA) globe lighting ceremony led by Atty. Yuzon-Chaves, UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Joudane, and SM Cares Program Director for Women Atty. Pearly Joan Jayagan Turley.
“We do this campaign to remind everyone that VAW is a universal concern and we have to be united in all of our efforts and in all of our actions to prevent and end VAW. So this SM orange globe represents hope and a future that’s free from violence against women and girls. And because you joined us tonight, this is one way of showing that you are zero tolerant of VAW,” Atty. Yuzon-Chaves said after the lighting ceremony.
In this photo, Atty. Yuzon-Chaves, Dr. Joudane, Atty. Turley, and their colleagues did the Stop VAW hand gesture while posting at the front of the orange SM MOA globe after the lighting ceremony conducted on November 24. According to Atty. Yuzon-Chaves, “This lighting event supports the ‘Orange Your Icon’ initiative, which aims to strengthen the anti-VAW advocacy and spark the public’s curiosity by urging stakeholders nationwide to color their major landmarks or iconic spots orange during the campaign period. By participating in this initiative, private companies like SM are declaring their support to the advocacy.”
Aside from SM MOA, several other SM malls played the video calling for people to “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women” on their outdoor and indoor LED displays – including SM Megamall, SM MOA Arena, SM Mall of Asia Arena Annex (MAAX) Eye, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Clark, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, and SM Sto. Tomas.
The national 18-day Campaign to End VAW is observed from November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 12 (the anniversary signing of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children) of every year as provided by Proclamation 1172, Series of 2006.
The 2022-2027 recurring theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines” is aligned with the “UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence Against Women” initiative of the UN Women, a multi-year effort to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide.
