PH Embassy in Phnom Penh Joins Observance of the 18 Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women

Members of the Filipino community in Cambodia call for an end to violence against women. (Phnom Penh PE photo)

PHNOM PENH 18 December 2019 — The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia joined the global community in the Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).  From 25 November to 12 December 2019, the Embassy organized several activities to raise awareness of the issue and deepen commitment to VAW-free community. 

At the start of the 18-day period, the Embassy launched a social media campaign calling on its Facebook followers to take a selfie with a message of support for a VAW-free community, using the hashtag #VAW-free community starts with me.  In keeping with the #HeForShe movement, men were especially encouraged to join the campaign.  About 30 members of the Filipino community in Cambodia readily posted their selfies.

On 01 December 2019, the Embassy, with the support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, organized a movie screening of the the critically-acclaimed Filipino film “Lauriana”. It was followed by a discussion led by Pastor David Von Bastes, who provides counseling services to victims of human trafficking under the care of the Daughters of Cambodia. After sharing his personal testimony of abuse, Pastor David noted that most victims of VAW do not readily open up about their experience and shared information on how we can identify those who are going through it, how to help them, and how we can work together to end VAW.  He also called on the audience to look within themselves for any possible tendency to commit VAW. 

The Embassy brought the campaign to Bavet City during its mobile consular outreach.  Bavet is 162 kilometers away from Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh.

The Philippine Embassy printed and distributed advocacy materials produced by the Philippine Commission on Women and showed the “VAW: Unspoken Word” videos in the Embassy’s consular section for the duration of the 18-day campaign.  Using free-verse poetry and images, the “Unspoken Word” videos aimed to increase understanding of the difficult experiences of victim-survivors.

Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the Philippine Embassy Myca Magnolia M. Fischer echoed the call of the PCW and said, “May we all be a part in creating a VAW-free Philippines – a community where women, unhampered by violence and discrimination, enjoy equal opportunities to become change agents and to contribute to and benefit from national transformation. END

Embassy personnel in VAW-free community t-shirts distribute brochures on VAW. (Phnom Penh PE photo)

Men publicly declaring support for a #VAW-free community. (Phnom Penh PE photo)

Vice Consul Cleofas briefs consular applicants about VAW during a consular mission in BAVET. (Phnom Penh PE photo)

Left photo:  Chargé d'Affaires Myca Fischer gives her welcome remarks during the film showing of Lauriana. Right photo: Pastor David Von Bastes shares his insights on VAW and how each can play a role in ending it. (Phnom Penh PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinCambodia/ or https://twitter.com/PhilippineIn.