The Department of Social Welfare and Development reinforces its commitment to stop violence against women with the launching the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence against Women (VAW) held during its flag-raising ceremony yesterday at DSWD Central Office, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

The event highlighted the commitments of the different members of society in achieving a VAW-free community in connection to this year’s theme, “VAW-free Community Starts with Me,” which aims to encourage more Filipinos to participate and contribute, in their own ways, towards efforts to establish a society free from all forms of abuse against women.

Those who gave their commitments include DSWD Assistant Secretary Anton Hernandez, who represented the vows of men in ending VAW; DSWD CO – Solo Parent Employees Organization (DSWD CO-SPEO) President Carrie Javier, who represented the commitments of women against violence; and Art Bautista from the Protective Services Field Office, who represented the commitment of a government employee in stopping violence against women.

In his message, A/Sec Hernandez emphasized that “Malaki ang role ng DSWD sa pagpapaunlad, sa atin dapat magsimula ang respeto sa kababaihan (DSWD has a big role in development, respect for women should start with us).”

“Hindi makaka-take off ang ating bansa sa pag-unlad kung hindi tayo magbibigay ng respeto sa bawat isa  (Our country cannot take-off in its development efforts if we do not respect one another,” he added.

Director Marita Pimentel, Field Program Manager of the Office of the Secretary and member of the National Gender and Development Resource Program of the Philippine Commission on Women stated that violence against women is prevalent in different areas of society — in schools, workplaces, and on cyberspace.

“As the government’s lead welfare agency, it is our responsibility to be quick in providing help to abused women. They will continue to experience violence if we do not extend help as soon as possible, and if we are insensitive to the situation they are in,” she continued.

“Violence isn’t only experienced by women. It is not just a few individual’s personal struggle; it is the struggle that the entire Filipino society must take on. Let us remember that ending violence against women starts with each of us, and we’ll only achieve victory if we work together to end not just violence against women, but also all forms of abuse against our nation,” Dir. Pimentel added.

Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera echoed the statements of other  DSWD officials by stating that “We must be vigilant in reporting to the authorities cases of abuse and violence against women.”

Javier, on the other hand, appealed to her fellow employees to remove the stigma against single moms since judging them based on their solo parent status is also a form of abuse. “Kung mayroon kayong katrabahong single moms o mga dalagang ina o seperada, sana’y unawain ninyo sila at huwag husgahan (If you have officemates who are single or unmarried moms or separated, I hope you will understand them, rather than judge them.)”

Meanwhile, DSWD staff and personnel showed their support to stop violence against women by affixing their signatures on commitment walls mounted  in the lobby.

The observance of the 18-day campaign in the DSWD Central Office was organized by the Department’s Protective Services Bureau (PSB) in coordination with various units of the agency. Meanwhile, the nationwide activity, which runs from November 25 to December 12, is spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women in partnership with different government agencies and women’s group.

Other than the kick-off activity, DSWD will be conducting more events in support of the national observance, including a road show activity for social workers, a photo exhibit, and a forum that will tackle important women-related issues. #