The Integrated Gender and Development Division of the Davao City Mayor’s Office, in partnership with the Department of Tourism XI, kicked off on Friday, November 25, the annual 18-Day Campaign to end violence against women (VAW) at People’s Park.
“This is an annual event nga ginahimo nato para i-strengthen, i-emphasize our campaign of ending violence against women (This is an annual event that we conduct to strengthen, emphasize our campaign on ending violence against women,” said Lorna Mandin, IGDD head in an interview with the City Information Office on Friday.
The event was participated in by barangay representatives, especially from the Barangay Council for Women, national government agencies, partners from Non-Governmental Organizations, schools, and private organizations.
Mandin said that the purpose of the program is to reiterate the commitment of the city and its stakeholders on ending VAW.
“While we have accomplishments, daghan gihapon ang kaso nga angay nato atubangon (While we have accomplishments there are still a lot of cases that we need to face),” she said, adding that inviting one another for discussion is very important to know more about the implementing procedures of anti-VAW laws.
The program included testimonies of women who were assisted by the IGDD, infographics on the Magna Carta of Women and other laws that help protect women from abuse.
Barangay Angliongto BCW president Stella Garzon said that such a campaign against VAW helps the women become aware of it and the office of the city government that caters to such issues.
“Tungod ani kay aware ang mga kababaihan kung unsa ang amoang adtuan kung naay pareha anang bugbugon naka sa imong bana… Daghan nag aware sa role sa IGDD sa barangay. Naa gyud na sila mutabang. Ang among VAW desk officer, aware pud siya ani kung asa siya muduol (Because of this campaign the women are aware that they have a place to go, for example, there already exist physical violence.. Many have become aware of the role of the IGDD in our barangay. They are there to help and our VAW desk officer is also aware of where she would go),” she added.
Garzon committed to helping in the wider dissemination of the ending violence against women programs of the city.
“Dili man dako ang amoang barangay pero pwede ka muadto sa barangay kay naay VAW desk didto (Our barangay may not be that women can go there because we have VAW desk),” she said.
The 18-Day campaign to end VAW started on November 25 and will end on December 12, 2022. This campaign is in line with Republic Act No. 10398, “An Act Declaring November 25 of every year as “National Consciousness for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children. CIO
