The theme for the annual 18-Day Campaign to End VAW is “VAW-Free Community Starts with Me”. Under this is the sub theme, “Filipino Marespeto; Safe Spaces Kasali Tayo” with the hashtags #FilipinoMarespeto #SafeSpacesKasaliTayo. The Filipino Marespeto highlights the positive Filipino trait of giving respect to everyone regardless of sex, age, SOGIE, ethnicity, class, physical appearance, etc. The Safe Spaces, Kasali Tayo lins the campaign back to the overall theme highlighting that creating safe spaces is everyone’s benefit in as much as it is for everyone’s responsibility.
In her opening remarks, Undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral, Ph.D., CESO I, Chairperson of DPWH Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) gave recognition to those who in one way or the other prevented and took action against all forms of gender-based violence in their place of work. She also took note that the Department has been recognized by the Philippine Commission on Women for the GADtimpala Award in 2013 and 2019 for its efforts and legacy to attain gender equality and women’s empowerment which serves as an inspiration and motivation for everyone in the Department