10 December 2014 – In line with the Philippine Government’s mandate to raise public awareness of the Philippines’ efforts to end violence against women (VAW) and in the observance of National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen organized an event on November 28 with the members of the Filipino community in Fujian province to promote the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW with this year’s theme, “End VAW Now! It’s our Duty!”

Philippine Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores, in his message to the members of the Filipino community, said that the Philippines joins the whole world in the global campaign to generate awareness of the rights of women, especially those which protect them from violence. Consul General Flores further said that the campaign to end violence against women and children calls for the elimination of all forms of violence, which may be done through raising public awareness of VAW.

Consul General Flores challenged the members of the Filipino community to religiously observe the campaign to End VAW.  He further encouraged the Filipino community in southeastern China to also actively take part in the 18-Day Campaign to End.  He underscored that ending VAW would usher in a better, happier world.

In closing, Consul General Flores explained that to further strengthen the End VAW campaign, the Philippines extended its campaign to 18 days, to include December 12, which is the International Day against Human Trafficking. END