CARAGANONS SUPPORT THE 18-DAY CAMPAIGN TO END VAW 2021

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

Different stakeholders in Caraga region will once again take part on the annual observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAWC) from November 25 to December 12, 2021 with various linedup activities.

Through the Regional Development Council – Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) chaired by Commission on Human Rights (CHR), together with the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, a series of activities was lined-up which are open for public participation. The said campaign will kick-off on November 25 with a Thanksgiving Mass at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Butuan City, followed with an Orange Motorcade within the city thoroughfares going to the Government Center in Tiniwisan. In the afternoon of the same date, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga will spearhead the conduct of Kapihan at SM City Butuan with resource speakers from RGADC, RIACAT-VAWC, DSWD, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

On November 26, a virtual Orientation on Violence Against Women Related Laws will be conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga, and online Learning Intervention for the Department of

All LCAT-VAWCs of Bislig City and Surigao City will also join in the scheduled Orientation on the Establishment of a Processing Center to LCAT-VAWCs on November 29, 2021 via Zoom platform.

Pregnant women from Surigao del Sur are all set for the Buntis Zoomgress on December 02, 2021, wherein they will learn more about Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, Responsible Parenthood and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related topics and benefit from other services such as mobile laboratory and buntis kits.

During the first week of December 2021, the RIACAT-VAWC will conduct the gift-giving activity to all victimsurvivors of Trafficking and Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC). There are some 37 pre-identified beneficiaries for this event. The following will also be conducted every Wednesday in the month of December: Online Media Literacy for Trained Youth Advocates; Safe Spaces Act and Social Development Goal 5: Achieving Gender Equality and Women and Girl Empowerment; and Women and Children-related Laws for all RIACAT-VAWC members including parents and children.

On December 7, the CHR-Caraga will facilitate the conduct of Safe Spaces Forum, a call to intensify the localization of Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act via Zoom platform.

The culminating activity will be held in time with the International Day Against Trafficking celebration on December 13. During this activity, the RIACATVAWC will be giving awards to various stakeholders, among others.

This year’s observance is anchored on the theme “VAW-free community starts with Me.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)