PH Embassy in Lisbon Joins 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women with “Bagahe” Film Screening

Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria explains the importance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women. (Lisbon PE photo)

LISBON 03 January 2019 – The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, led by Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria, launched the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with a screening of “Bagahe” at the Embassy Chancery on 25 November 2018.

Directed by Zig Madamba Dulay, “Bagahe” is one of the recommended films by the Philippine Commission on Women in observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, which carried the theme “VAW-Free Community Starts With Me,” from 25 November to 12 December 2018. 

The film is about the plight of a Filipino female migrant worker who is a VAW victim-survivor and is suspected of abandoning her newborn child during her flight back to the Philippines.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Feria said, “The 18-day Campaign to End VAW is an important annual activity of the Philippine government with the aim to not only raise awareness on the various forms of violence against women and girls but also provide the necessary information on the legal protection given to women and girls.” 

“Every Filipino should take a proactive role in promoting the human rights of women, especially among the most vulnerable sectors of our society,” she added. 

After the screening, an interactive forum followed where members of the Filipino Community gave their insights on the film, and the challenges faced by many Filipino female migrant workers.  The post-screening discussions were led by two Filipino masteral scholars from Erasmus Mundus of Social Work currently in Lisbon.

The Embassy engaged Erasus Mundus foreign students who were also present during the film screening to make comparative social perspectives between the Philippines and their respective countries on the issue of VAW.  This engagement gave the audience a deeper understanding and knowledge on VAW at the global level.

There were 70 people who attended the event, which included members of the Filipino Community, Erasmus Mundus students and Portuguese guests.  END

For more information, visit www.lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph.

A Erasmus Mundus student from Uganda giving her social perspective on the film. (Lisbon PE photo)

The audience at the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon in observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women activity. (Lisbon PE photo)