“Bagahe” Film Showing in Angola Raises Awareness to End Violence Against Women

Non-resident Ambassador to Angola Celia Anna M. Feria gives her welcome remarks on 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, prior to the film screening of “Bagahe” at Jembas III . (Lisbon PE photo)

LUANDA 17 January 2019 – The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, with concurrent jurisdiction over Angola, continued its 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with a film showing of Filipino director Zig Madamba Dulay’s “Bagahe” on 09 December 2018 at the Jembas III in Viana, Angola. 

The film shows 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 opening remarks, Ambassador to Portugal and non-resident Ambassador to Angola Celia Anna M. Feria stressed the importance of the need to continue calling for the respect, promotion, protection and fulfillment of women’s rights, and to support the Philippine government’s efforts in providing resources available to women who find themselves the subject of violence and domestic abuse.

Ambassador Feria also encouraged the attendees to always be more aware and sensitive of the plight of women, especially female overseas Filipino workers who may find themselves in situations of deep concern.  She stressed the importance of continuously organizing activities for Filipinos in their respective area to assure men and women alike that they can band together to end VAW.

The campaign is observed annually from 25 November to 12 December to raise public awareness among all stakeholders that VAW is an issue of national concern. The launching of the campaign was held at the Embassy Chancery in Lisbon on 25 November 2018.

In attendance were some 100 members of the Filipino community in Luanda and other nearby cities of Angola.

The Filipino Community in Angola is estimated to be around 1,000 men and women working in various professions such as electricians, engineers, household service workers, mechanics and office staff. The Filipino migrant community is highly respected and regarded in the country. END

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

Members of the Filipino Community in Angola watch the film “Bagahe.” (Lisbon PE photo)