The Department of Public Works and Highways celebrated the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) on November 25 to December 12 pursuant to Proclamation No. 1172, s. 2006 "Declaring 25 November to 12 December as the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW)" and Republic Act 10398 "Declaring 25 November of Every Year as National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children,"
To support the said campaign, the DPWH Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) conducted various activities that elevates the campaign to positive advocacy as it enjoins everyone to pursue the common vision of a community free from violence against women and girls, and highlights what can be done to achieve such.
Opening of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) – November 25, 2022
This year will mark the start of the new six-year (2022-2027) recurring theme for the campaign: “UNiTED for a VAW-free Philippines” which aims to highlight the powerful impact of harnessing and consolidating individual efforts towards the goal of having a VAW-free community. The 2022 campaign aims to gain insights as to where the country stands in terms of understanding and acting on VAW and its forms and manifestations.
In her opening remarks, Undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral, Ph.D., CESO I, Chairperson of DPWH Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) affirmed the support of the Department for a VAW-Free Community. She emphasized the importance of strengthening the VAW-Free inclusion measures in hiring, employment, training, and career advancement strategies in order to promote equal opportunities for everyone
Usec. Cabral appealed to all employees and the top management to take a more concrete, decisive and proactive approach in creating a more inclusive and accessible workplace. She encouraged everyone to do their part in building a workplace culture in which all people, regardless of gender are treated with equal fairness and dignity. A workplace with equal opportunities for growth will not only ensure enhances outcomes, but also improve workplace collaboration and productivity
Forum on Republic Act RA 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 and RA 9208 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 – November 25, 2022
The DPWH GFPS conducted a Forum on Republic Act RA 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 and RA 9208 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 to discuss the core provision of anti-VAW related legislations
The speaker for the forum was Atty. Marifren C. Gacutan and Atty. Jea Mari D. Diato of the Legal Service. Atty. Diato presented the salient points of RA 9262 “Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004” and shared some cases related to the said legislations.
Atty. Gacutan discussed the provisions of RA 9208 “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003” highlighting the efforts of the Department in mainstreaming anti-trafficking in persons (and –TIP) work in DPWH structure and operations, including people, policies, systems and projects, as well as responding to TIP cases the arises in relation to DPWH work thru Department Order No. 111 series of 2016. The activity was attended by 28 female and 5 males.
Self-Defense Training Course for Women – December 7, 2022
The DPWH-GFPS in coordination with the DPWH Central Office Employee’s Union conducted a Self-Defense Training Course for Women which aims to learn various concepts and techniques in recognizing and neutralizing threat against women. Coach Rosenberg Rosete and Coach Jose Pocholo Miguel Ilagan of F.I.S.T. Gym explained the showcased various techniques in neutralizing threats and different defensive maneuver techniques, ground defense and basic armed fighting. Participants were also encourage to participate on the practice activity to have a firsthand activity on how they can protect themselves against threat. The activity was attended by 60 females from various offices.
