IN support of the full implementation of laws protecting women and children against violence, the city government has enjoined all its 182 barangay units to create their respective VAWC desks.
The local government through the Davao City Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) reiterated the directive in a series of orientations on December 1 and 2, and another session on Dec. 5.
The orientation provided inputs to gender and development focal persons of every barangay on the importance and the need of creating VAWC desks in their respective barangays.
IGDD executive director Lorna Mandin said the LGU is strengthening its program in facilitating the full implementation of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.
Mandin told the Philippine Information Agency that both laws mandate each barangay to create its VAWC desk that will be established in the barangay hall to give appropriate assistance and referrals to abused women and children.[PIA 11/CARINA L. CAYON]
“We really have to make sure that the mandates of the laws will be followed in the barangay level,” stated Mandin.
Also integrated in the orientation sessions was the promotion of the reproductive health rights of women.
Mandin said the barangays were also enjoined to adopt their reproductive health ordinance to reinforce the RH Ordinance of the city government.
The orientation sessions were part of Davao City’s activities supporting the nationwide commemoration of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women that started November 25.
The campaign will culminate on December 12 coinciding with the observance of the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime including human trafficking in 2000 in Palermo, Italy.
The city government supports and advocates rhis campaign by issuing Proclamation No. 27 that declares November 25 starting this year, and every year thereafter as a day for elimination of violence against women in the city.
Mandin said this year’s campaign centers on the widespread advocacy and more effective implementation of laws protecting women such as the Anti-VAWC, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208), Anti-Rape Law (RA 8353), Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877), and the Magna Carta of Women.
The 18-day campaign is in response and support to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women’s (CEDAW) recommendation that the Philippine government “undertake measures to increase awareness of all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, marital rape and incest, and the unacceptability of all such violence.” [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]
