PIA | Quezon Province observes 18-day campaign to end violence against women

PIA | Quezon Province observes 18-day campaign to end violence against women

Quezon Province observes 18-day campaign to end violence against women

By: Joselito M. Giron

Tuesday 26th of November 2013

 

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Nov. 27 (PIA) --An 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW) has been launched by the provincial gender and development (PGAD) office under the provincial government last Nov. 25 and ends December 12.

PGAD provincial head Ofelia Palayan, said the campaign will be highlighted by a covenant signing among media personalities, police officers, national and local government agencies and other advocates of VAW.

The campaign according to Palayan, aims to: increase support and commitment of duty holders particularly the government agencies, at the national and local level, in eliminating violence against women and children; to sustain and improve policies, laws and mechanisms addressing VAW; and to forge partnerships among stakeholders in addressing VAW.

“With the theme “End VAW now! It’s our duty!”, the media has a big role in rolling-out the importance of having a functional mechanism in every local government units that will supervise and implement programs and projects related to gender and development”, Palayan said.

She added the functionality of the provincial committee against trafficking-violence against women and children, its members has a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of gender-based violence and the provisions of VAW laws.

It can be recalled that since 2002, the Philippine government has been actively joining the 16-day of activism against gender-based violence that is being observed globally.

In 2006, through Presidential Proclamation 1172, the Philippine campaign was extended to 18 days, to include December 12 which is known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Day.

This year, the country's commitment to the observance was strengthened as President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Republic Act 10398 declaring November 25 of every year as the “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.” The law also raises the standard by which this campaign is observed by mandating key agencies to undertake activities designed to raise public awareness on VAW. (PIA-Quezon with report from PGAD-Quezon)