PH Embassy in Yangon Organizes Zumba for a VAW-free Community

Chargé d' Affaires, a.i. Stephanie Alexis A. Cruz, delivers her welcome remarks and discusses the rationale for the campaign on ending violence against women in the Philippines and in Myanmar. (Yangon PE photo)

YANGON 03 January 2019 – As part of the Philippine Government's 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the Philippine Embassy in Yangon conducted the event “Zumba for a VAW-Free Community” held on 08 December 2018 at the Embassy grounds.

Chargé d' Affaires, a.i. Stephanie Alexis Cruz emphasized that the Government's campaign to raise awareness on VAW reaffirms the government’s commitment to address all forms of violence against women as enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

She also reminded the attendees, majority of whom were women, that no one has the right to hurt women, whether physically, emotionally or psychologically, and that women deserved to be respected and loved.

Other speakers during the event included Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) Secretary Daw Hlaing Maw Oo and UN Women National Officer Phyo Thu Nandar Aung.

YCDC Secretary Daw Hlaing Maw Oo delivered a message emphasizing the importance of ending violence against women in Myanmar to ensure a safe environment for the daughters and women of Myanmar, while UN Women National Officer Phyo Thu Nandar Aung explained that women need to do more to address the issue of Violence Against Women, and explained how Zumba can be used to activate and energize the women to continue in the fight to say No to Violence Against Women.

A total of 100 attendees actively participated in the “Zumba for a VAW-free Community” event and were provided "VAW-free community starts with me" t-shirts and breakfast. END

For more information, visit www.yangonpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinMyanmar

Guest of honor Daw Hlaing Maw Oo, Secretary of the Yangon City Development Committee, delivers her message on the importance of ending Violence Against Women in Myanmar. (Yangon PE photo)

Special Guest Phyo Thu Nandar Aung, National Officer from the UN Women delivers an inspirational message to raise awareness on Violence Against Women. (Yangon PE photo)

Zumba participants with Embassy personnel. (Yangon PE photo)