18-day Campaign Against VAW Kicks Off in Cebu

(PIA) – Various sectors here kicked off the start of the 18-day campaign against Violence Against Women (VAWC).

Leah Quintana, Regional Information Officer of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7), said the 18-day campaign will run from November 25 until December 12

Quintana said members of the Regional Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking (RIACAT) held a parade to kick off the commemoration.

Leading the RIACAT are the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Education (Deped) and the local women council.

“All throughout the 18 days there will be more and more talks and workshops and reports from these agencies as to achievements,” Quintana said.

The objective of this annual event is to raise awareness among stakeholders that VAW is a public issue of national concern.

“It supports the Philippine government’s goal to protect the human rights of women and its commitment to address all forms of VAW,” Quintana said.

The commemoration is also part of the Philippines adherence to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) particularly in the protection and empowerment of women.

The 18 day campaign is pursuant to Proclamation 1172 issued in 2006.

Republic Act 10398 also declares November 25 as National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)