ILOILO City – This year’s countrywide 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW) kicks off today, Nov. 25, until Dec. 12.
The campaign will use the color orange to symbolize a “future free of violence,” according to Iloilo Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) head, Sarah Barayuga.
“It also serves as a means of demonstrating solidarity in eliminating all forms of violence and is therefore used as the color of the International Day for the elimination of VAW,” Barayuga said.
The campaign will start at 9:30 a.m. with a simultaneous signing of pledges to end VAW and the Safe Space Act by the local government units.
This year’s campaign aims to promote awareness about Republic Act 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act (SSA).
All government agencies and LGUs, including the private sector, are enjoined to align their campaign activities with the said objective, said Barayuga.
VAW violates human rights and continues to be one of the country’s perennial social problems, according to the Philippine Commission on Women.
It manifests and perpetuates discrimination and gender inequality. It violates the fundamental right of women to live a life free from violence as upheld in international commitments and their local translation.
In 2016, the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women adopted the theme “VAW-free community starts with Me” for the 18-day campaign to end VAW.
The council agreed such theme shall be used every year from 2016 to 2021. It enjoined everyone to pursue the common vision of a community free from violence against women and girls and highlighted what can be done to achieve such./PN
