The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance creating the Men Opposed Against Violence Against Women Everywhere Organization (MOVE), appropriating funds for the said program and for other purposes.
Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon, the city government adheres to support the National Quest For Violence Against Women (VAW) Free Philippines through the organization and mobilization of MOVE and it shall assist in organizing the male staff and employees of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) as well as male community members into a movement of men opposing VAW everywhere.
Further, the city shall develop and impart among CSWDO male personnel the appropriate VAW-related knowledge, attitudes and habits or practices and to mobilize individual men to spearhead the same in their respective families and communities as their advocacy against VAW.
For this purpose, the city shall mobilize MOVE members to assist the CSWDO in instituting policy advocacy, and changes in VAW programs.
According to the ordinance, MOVE orientation and organization at the city level shall be conducted in partnership with the CSWDO, then a separate orientation shall be done by the Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons.
Moreover, all activities like meetings, planning, evaluation, and advocacy and other group building activities will be included in the annual MOVE and CSWDO work and financial plans at all levels to ensure funding support.
The CSWDO and MOVE shall coordinate with the DSWD regional MOVE convener and the national government on related organizational concerns for exchange of information and support.
The ordinance stipulated that there shall be a continuous enhancement activity on VAW-related knowledge, attitude and behavior, trainings, forum among others that will be included in the annual MOVE and CSWDO annual plan.
In addition, the CSWD in coordination with the DSWD regional office MOVE shall have direct influence over community MOVE organizations in terms of orientation, organization, requiring accomplishments reports among others.
The ordinance stated that funds for the efficient implementation of the proposed measure shall be appropriated in the annual budget or any supplemental budget of the local government.
The ordinance explained that in promoting the role of women as full and equal partners of men in nation building, the local government will undertake to enhance the women’s full potentials, uplift their status and improve their quality of life through the enhancement of gender responsive policies, the integration of practices that promote gender equality in both the public and private sectors and the eventual eradication of all forms of violence against women.
Article 2, Section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the State recognizes the role of women in nation building, and shall ensure fundamental equality before the law of women and men. By Dexter A. See
