ILOILO City – It’s the time of year again to put the spotlight on the campaign against any form of abuses or violence against women and children.
On Nov. 25, the Zonta Club Iloilo City II kicked off the “16 Days of Activism” campaign against violence against women and children (VAWC) in sync with the observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until Dec. 10 which is Human Rights Day.
Zonta Club Iloilo City II, along with Zonta Club Iloilo City I and Zonta Club of Iloilo City Golden, set off the campaign with a motorcade on the main thoroughfares of the city. It was followed by the opening of the Lantern of Hope by the Shelter for Abused Women at SM City Iloilo.
“Every year, Zonta clubs all over the world focus on bringing in the open violence against women. I feel strongly about this campaign that is why everyone in our club are working hard in whatever way we can to contribute, to make people aware. Women’s rights matter!” said Zonta Club Iloilo City II president Grace Blair.
Being a group of empowered women in Iloilo empowering fellow women, Zonta Club Iloilo City II has carried out programs and projects to help the sector.
One is dubbed “Responsible Nanay” where mothers are taught about the much needed emergency technique at home, giving immediate actions to save lives of their family.
“We teach them how to plan and make a budget of their daily meals and needs according to what they can afford. We want to help prepare women. They are capable of saving lives when they are trained,” said Blair.
Yesterday, Zonta Club Iloilo City II held a crash course on self-defense at the Festive Walk Mall, with Police Executive Master Sergeant Leo Angelo Castro, executive senior police officer, and Police Staff Sergeant Hernane Callado, both from the Special Weapons and Tactics – Iloilo Mobile Force Company. Participants were taught self-defense, knowing the sign for help, and dealing with cyber bullies.
Blair added that their organization also partnered with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – Female Dormitory in Iloilo City to give livelihood opportunities to female persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Another tangible partnership they have is with the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO)-Women and Children Protection Desk.
As champion and partner of the advocacy campaign against VAWC, Zonta Club Iloilo City II shouldered the construction of the WCPD office located inside the ICPO compound.
The building serves as a temporary refuge especially for walk-in women clients who would report and seek protection from their abusive partners or any culprits.
According to Police Major Juvy Batilaran Navales, officer-in-charge of the WCPD, the facility is a big help to their VAWC campaign. Victims of abuse feel welcome and comfort.
The facility as specific areas such as the interview room and play area for the kids.
“This building is separate from other regular offices. The environment itself gives assurance to the victims that they are safe to reveal their sufferings,” said Navales.
Based on the consolidated report of VAWC cases in Iloilo City, a total of 297 cases of violence against women and 214 child abuse cases were handled by ICPO-WCPD from January to December 2021.
The figure is higher compared to the cases received this year – 109 cases of violence against women and 83 child abuse cases from January to October.
Navales attributed the decrease in the number of cases to the continuous campaign of all stakeholders on VAWC especially at the barangay level.
For one, she noted that barangays now have their respective Barangay VAWC Desk – a barangay-level facility which serves as a frontline service provider to victim-survivors of physical, sexual, psychological, economic, and other forms of abuse.
The implementing rules and regulations of the Magna Carta of Women provides for the establishment of a VAWC desk in every barangay.
As part of their functions, Navales said the Barangay VAWC Desk conducts several gender and development (GAD) activities.
Each barangay is mandated to allot a portion of their budget to the GAD fund for their advocacy campaign to lessen or address VAWC cases in the barangay./PN
