18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC)
2024 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women
Campaign Background
Violence Against Women (VAW) is a pervasive social problem not just in the Philippines but worldwide, affecting an estimated 1 in 3 women. The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveals that nearly 1 out of 5 women have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence by their current or most recent husband or intimate partner. In 2023 alone, 8,055 cases classified under the Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004) were reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Despite significant progress made through the years, much remains to be done as the journey toward equality is long and challenging. According to the Global Gender Gap 2024 Insight Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), it will take 134 years to achieve full gender parity. This staggering number translates to five generations beyond the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 target of achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.
Nonetheless, there is still hope, as every Filipino has the power to help end VAW, and OUR TIME TO ACT IS NOW. With the goal to be a VAW-free country, the Philippines – being the most gender equal country in Asia and ranking 25th out of 146 economies in this year’s Global Gender Gap Index – has been working tirelessly to make gender equality a lived reality.
As early as 1987, the country enshrined gender equality into its Constitution and introduced a new Family Code to eliminate many discriminatory legal provisions. Even before joining the global campaign of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in 2002, landmark legislations like RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) and RA 8353 (The Anti-Rape Law of 1997) were already enacted. Additionally, RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004) were also signed into law before the 16 Days National Campaign was extended to 18 days by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1172, Series of 2006.
Campaign Theme
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) – mandated to lead, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the nationwide yearly observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW from November 25 to December 12 – is calling for unity among all genders and sectors of society to finally put an end to violence in all its forms.
With the 2022-2027 recurring campaign theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines” and its 2024 sub-theme, “VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras!” the PCW highlights the urgency of the advocacy in line with the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004 (RA 9262).
The 2024 campaign remains aligned with the United Nations’ “UNiTE by 2030 to End VAW” initiative, of which the Philippines is one of the 51 charter members. UNiTE is a multiyear effort that calls on duty-bearers, civil society and non-governmental organizations, the private sector, media entities, the youth, and UN member states to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.
Campaign Objectives
Through the 2024 18-day Campaign to End VAW, the PCW aims to:
• Highlight 20 years of achievements in addressing VAW by marking two decades of the Anti-VAWC Act (RA 9262);
• Raise public awareness about the various forms and impact of VAW, while emphasizing that VAW is a public crime and encourage safe, effective interventions in preventing and addressing VAW within their communities, particularly in public spaces;
• Encourage individuals, communities, and government to work together to create a comprehensive response to VAW with strong focus on prevention;
• Empower survivors by disseminating information on available support services and resources, fostering a society that empowers survivors to seek justice and rebuild their lives; and
• Launch the National Action Plan to End VAW (NAPEVAW), which lays down the roadmap toward eliminating VAW in the country.
Reference:
2024 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women | Philippine Commission on Women
PAGASA End VAWC activities
Campaign Announcement on 25 November during the Flag Ceremony
- Top management will announce the campaign background, theme, objectives, and activities.
- The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang will be used in every Flag Raising and Retreat Ceremony during the campaign period.
Display of Campaign Banner
- The official campaign streamer will be displayed at the PAGASA Central Office and the Weather and Flood Forecasting Center (WFFC) Building
#OrangeYourIcon Movement
- Participation in the (PCW) collective action where the agency uses orange to represent a bright and optimistic future that is free from violence against women and girls
Safe Spaces Campaign #VAWFreePH (Dissemination of IEC Materials)
- Online and on-site posting of IEC laws and policies related to End-VAWC
Wearing of Orange to support the #VowToEndVAW Commitment
- All PAGASA Officials, Employees, and Job Order Personnel are enjoined to wear Orange on 29 November and 6 December 2024 to support the #VowToEndVAW Commitment, subject to Civil Service Commission (CSC) MC No. 19, s. 2000, titled “Revised Dress Code Prescribed for All Government Officials and Employees in the Work place”.
End VAWC Legal Clinic
- Open for all PAGASA Officials, Employees, and Job Order Personnel to seek legal assistance about any gender concerns and issues strictly confidential, to be conducted on 6 December 2024 at Habagat Conference Room from 9:00 am to 12 noon.
