1The City Government of Davao, through the Integrated Gender and Development Division, in partnership with the Department of Tourism and stakeholders launched on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Rizal Park, the 18-day Campaign against Violence against Women.
The event themed “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines” was held to raise awareness against violence against women, and also children.
IGDD Head Lorna Mandin, in an interview with Madayaw Davao on the sidelines of the event, said that the community, government agencies, Non-Government Agencies, individuals and women alike are involved in this activity for the continuing campaign on VAW prevention.
She said that within the 18-day campaign, consultations, symposiums, training, and seminars will be conducted in the barangays in partnership with stakeholders.
“Pinaagi sa konsultasyon, pinaagi sa padayon nga symposium, training, seminars with the mix of agencies and barangays—through that convergence manggawas ang mga issues, and always sa mga forum nga atong ginahimo naay recommendations (Through our consultaitons, through the ongoing symposiums, training, seminars with the mixture of agencies and barangays—through that convergence, we can see the emerging issues and always after each forum, we have recommendations),” Mandin said.
She said that there still exists a high level of awareness of violence against women based on the number of the reported cases, majority of which involved economic abuse.
Mandin attribute this to the interconnected economic and political conditions affecting the households.
Amid these challenges facing women, Mandin said that they will not stop empowering women.
“Ga-paninglkamot ta nga ma empower ang mga babae, ma-empower nga maghimo og desisyon economically (We are working hard to empower women, to empower them to make decisions economically),” she said, adding that they are also encouraging more women to have a source of income.
Mandin said that aside from advocacy work, their office, the IGDD, is always open for those who want to seek legal advice. Their office has lawyers on duty everyday to assist concerns of women. Their staff also conduct family conferences.
Currently, the IGDD is collating the recommendations and outputs of every forum conducted to submit it for consideration in the possible amendment to the 20-year old Violence Against Women and Children law.
They also document the journey of women who were able to survive oppressive situations.
On December 12, the last day of the 18 Day campaign against VAW, the office will join the Department of Justice for a culminating event to be held, at Almendras Gym. CIO
