The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined the nation in advocating for a violence-free Philippines as the agency kicked off the 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW) on Monday (November 25).
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian conveyed the Department’s support for the country’s fight against VAW in his video message played during the agency’s Monday flag-raising ceremony.
“The DSWD, as the lead of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children, stands united with fellow government agencies and the private sector in this critical fight,” the DSWD chief said.
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, this year’s theme—”VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras!” underscored the urgency of the fight to end VAW.
DSWD’s campaign activities
The DSWD, an agency that protects the welfare of women and children, prepared numerous activities to support the campaign.
A prayer to End VAW and an all-women cast Lupang Hinirang will be played during the flag-raising and retreat ceremonies every Monday and Friday, respectively, within the duration of the 18-day campaign.
The DSWD also installed an information desk in its main lobby, which displays knowledge materials that everyone—its personnel and clients—may access.
As part of the agency’s initiatives, a live press briefing on VAW will be added to the DSWD’s Thursday Media Forum on November 28.
The briefing aims to raise awareness and promote the DSWD’s programs and services for assisting VAW victim-survivors.
The DSWD will also conduct an “Orange Exhibit” contest for all DSWD offices. The participating office must creatively install an exhibit in the most prominent or iconic site of their office to encourage everyone to check and read the campaign materials.
Agency personnel are also encouraged to join the #VowToEndVAWCommitment contest. Using the hashtag, participants must post their “Stop VAW” photos with captions of their thoughts and suggestions on achieving a VAW-free Philippines.
The DSWD employees also wore orange top during the kick-off event. The UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence Against Women campaign of the United Nations uses orange as it is bright and optimistic color which represents a future free from violence against women and girls.
Under Proclamation No. 1172, signed on November 17, 2006, November 25 to December 12 of every year, the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW in the Philippines was declared.