PH Embassy, Honorary Consulates, FilCom in Spain, Andorra Join Hands to Support the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women
Atty. Chona Abiertas Tenorio discusses relevant Spanish laws, actual situations and the course of action that should be taken to properly address the problem in compliance with the Spanish system. (Madrid PE photo)

MADRID 16 December 2019 — The Philippine Embassy in Madrid conducted a back-to-back forum with the Filipino communities in Madrid and Barcelona as part of its Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) on 05 and 06 December 2019. 

The forum, which was aimed at creating awareness of the problem and equipping Filipino community leaders on how to effectively respond to these problems which will be helpful to fellow Filipino victims, focused on the rights of women victims, support, assistance and procedures extended by the Spanish government and other relevant Spanish laws covering domestic abuse and other forms of violence.

Honorary Consul for Barcelona and a lawyer by profession Atty. Chona Abiertas Tenorio was tapped as resource speaker. Atty. Abiertas discussed relevant Spanish laws, actual situations and the course of action that should be taken to properly address the problem in compliance with the Spanish system. 

During the forum, a group of social workers from Equip d´Atenció i Mediació Intercultural Socio Sanitari also shared their experiences and expertise on the subject by focusing on the role of social workers in cases of reported domestic violence, marital dispute and care of minors.  The attendees, some of whom had experience as court translators and medical practitioners, also provided insights and actual encounters which further enlightened the community leaders and thus empowering them to extend assistance to victims. The forum was headed by Philippine Consul to Madrid Ralf G. Roldan and Gender And Development Focal Person Chester A. Diaz. 

During the forum, Consul Roldan and Mr. Diaz also encouraged the Filipino community leaders to support and promote the advocacy for equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in celebration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

In a separate event held on 08 December 2019 during the “Paskong Pinoy sa Madrid 2019”, Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe J. Lhuillier emphasized that the Embassy fully supports the end of violence against women and the equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.   Ambassador Lhuiller declared that it will be part of the Embassy´s advocacy and will continue to promote and encourage Filipinos in Spain and Andorra to support and raise awareness. 

Various Filipino community organizations in Spain and Andorra also supported the 18-day campaign to end violence against women through special events and gatherings and social media postings.  

The Philippine Honorary Consulates in Andorra, Barcelona, Bilbao, Las Palmas, Malaga, Sevilla and Valencia also joined the 18-day campaign to end violence against women.

The Embassy also distributed flyers containing resources on gender violence and legal advice services in Spain.  These flyers were also sent to various Philippine Consulates and Filipino organizations in Spain and Andorra.   END

Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe J. Lhuillier emphasizes that the Embassy fully supports the end of violence against women and the equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.  (Madrid PE photo)

The forum aims to create awareness of the problem and equip Filipino community leaders on how to effectively respond to these problems which will be helpful to fellow Filipino victims, focused on the rights of women victims, support, assistance and procedures extended by the Spanish government and other relevant Spanish laws covering domestic abuse and other forms of violence. (Madrid PE photo)

Honorary Consul for Barcelona and a lawyer by profession Atty. Chona Abiertas Tenorio was tapped as resource speaker. (Madrid PE photo)

The Philippine Honorary Consulates in Andorr, Las Palmas and Valencia also joins the 18-day campaign to end violence against women. (Madrid PE photo)

For more information, visit  https://www.madripe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembassymadrid.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSpain/.