The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera joins the nation in culminating the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) recently, during the Flag Raising Ceremony.
The campaign kicked- off on November 25 with the theme, “United for a VAW-free Philippines.” Aimed at strengthening and combining individual efforts to achieve a community free from violence, the theme is a recurring theme from 2022 to 2027 which is anchored on the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence Against Women Campaign (UNiTE Campaign (web.nlp.gov.ph).
During the activity, two men of the DA-CAR championed and shared key messages on how to prevent VAW in the family and in the workplace. Mr. Gerardo Banawa, Regional Corn Program Coordinator, discussed the 5As of Smart Parenting which is not only for parents but for couples alike. The 5As stand for Affection, Acceptance, Attention, Appreciation, and Approval which are among the foundations to ensure continuing love and lasting relationships that would prevent VAW including children.
Further, Freidy Sicwaten of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) shared highlights of the CODI on Sexual Harassment Training that he attended. Mr. Sicwaten stressed that ‘anything you see and anything you do that is unwelcome to a woman’ is covered by the Republic Act (RA) No. 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act. He then discussed some tips to avoid sexual harassment as follows: 1) Do not touch the girl, 2) Do not watch pornography, 3) Know the consequences of violating the VAW, and 4) Understand the meaning of love.
Along with RA No. 7877, RA No. 11313, or The Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law) was also discussed with some example scenarios that are covered in the Act. The Safe Spaces Act covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplaces, and online spaces (ppp.gov.ph).