BAGUIO CITY – As part of this year’s observance of Women’s Month, the Department of Agriculture Cordillera (DA-CAR) through the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC) has formally created its version of MOVE or Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere.
In the integration activity program of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council Sector with the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) held in Baguio City, DA-CAR, alternate Gender and Development focal person Dr. Aida Pagtan explained the creation of the MOVE through the RAFC is an effort to provide men wider perspective and understanding by being informed on the rights not only of women, but children, persons with disability, senior citizens, and other vulnerable sectors of society.
“The creation of MOVE through the RAFC is a way for the men to be aware, involve, and advocate the prevention of violence against women including other vulnerable or marginalized members of society. This will give them the skill to incorporate gender mainstreaming in the implementation and monitoring of projects related to agriculture programs of the DA,” Pagtan said.
MOVE, a program initially promoted by the Philippine Commission for Women (PCW), seeks to engage male sectors of society and community members in preventing Violence Against Women (VAW).
The group’s objectives include encouraging men to pledge against VAW, aside from working to observe inclusivity by proposing and developing actions for full male involvement, forming alliances with other anti-VAW groups, conducting research on VAW’s social impact, and building a resource network to strengthen community ties.
Aside from the creation of the of AFC-CAR MOVE, the thirty participants underwent a briefing on GESI, the Magna Carta for Women, MOVE objectives, Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, and a training on Voters Education.
Initially composed of ten male individuals, Cris Ogaccan has been selected by members of the RAFC to be the AFC-CAR MOVE Chairman, while RAFC Chairperson Ryan Palunan will act as Vice Chairperson, aside from other appointed officers and senior advisers coming from the initial members. By JTLlanes
