16 October 2015 - The Consulate General of the Philippines and the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence conducted a seminar on Gender and Development (GAD) entitled Community Advocates “Know More” to raise awareness about sexual and domestic violence against women on October 10 at the Guam Reef and Olive Spa Resort Hotel.

The seminar is in support of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Gender and Development program that focuses on promoting women’s rights and opportunities and further empower and strengthen their capacities as mandated under Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women. The seminar is also in observance of the enactment of Republic Act 10398 on National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.

Among the special speakers were Undersecretary Lilibeth C. David, M.D. of the Office for Policy and Health System of the Philippine Department of Health (DOH). Undersecretary David discussed the commitment and initiatives of the Philippine Government and the Department of Health to the cause of gender and development which DOH holds accountable for health and welfare of men and women in the society. She mentioned that Gender and Development is one of the advocacies of Philippine Health Secretary Janette L. Garin, M.D. having been the champion behind two milestone policies on GAD, the Magna Carta of Women- RA 9710 (2009) and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law- RA 10354 (2012). DOH ensures that the Philippine development plans are inclusive of and responsive to gender needs. She encouraged the audience to transform the seminar into channels for collaboration and support in building societies that are gender sensitive and free from violence.

Undersecretary David was accompanied by Director Myrna Cabotaje, M.D. who was on Guam to attend the WorldHealthOrganization (WHO) Regional Committee Conference for the Western Pacific from October 12 to 16.

The other panelist, Ms. Nina Jusuf, Program Director of the National Organization of Asian and Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence, talked about trauma-informed care, an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the effect of trauma in the victim’s lives.

Atty. Basil O’Mallan of the Office of Attorney General of Guam, on the other hand, discussed the criminal and civil aspect of laws and statutes for the victims of sexual assault and family violence.

Consul General de Borja welcomed the guests and participants and highlighted the importance of the event in promoting awareness of the rights of the women and protecting not only women but also men’s rights about sexual and domestic violence. He thanked the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence for their solidarity and overwhelming support for making the seminar possible.

Executive Director Cynthia Cabot of the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault (GCASAFV) also made a presentation on the overview and services offerred by the GCASAFV. She thanked the Philippine Consulate General for helping the Guam Coalition in reaching out to the Filipino community on the island. The seminar was the second time that the Philippine Consulate General partnered with the Guam Coalition since May 2012.

The event was attended by the leaders and members of the Filipino Community, Advocates and Volunteers from Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Catholic Social Services, Association of Individual, Marriage and Family Therapist, Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) and Victim Advocates Reaching Out (VARO). Also in attendance were some professors and students of the University of Guam. END