DFA Mindanao Organizes Anti-Violence Against Women Forum
University Research Council of the Ateneo de Davao University Chair Dr. Lourdesita Sobrevega-Chan, and Philippine Women’s Rights Representative, ASEAN Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Women and Children speak on ‘The Role of the Academe in Addressing VAW’. (DFA Mindanao photo)
DAVAO 18 January 2019 — In line with the Philippine government’s 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with the theme “VAW-Free Community Starts With Me,” the Department of Foreign Affairs-Mindanao, in collaboration with the Philippine Women’s College (PWC) of Davao, held a public Lecture-Forum on 11 December 2018 at the PWC of Davao RSM Events Center.
In her speech, PWC of Davao Chancellor and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ida Yap-Patron noted the readiness of PWC to support the goals of DFA Mindanao, in view of the principles and advocacies of the late Dr. Helena Z. Benitez and co-founder Francisca Tirona-Benitez who both started the College.
The forum featured renowned set of speakers that included
Ateneo de Davao University-University Research Council chair and, ASEAN Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Women and Children-Philippine Women’s Rights representative Dr. Lourdesita Sobrevega-Chan, Department of Trade and Industry-XI division chief, and Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) Secretariat head Dr. Marie Anne J. How, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos-Office of the Commissioner Macadawan administrative assistant and Davao New Moslem Care Center for Women officer-in-charge;Ms. Yoshria Isik Aragat, and Alliance Development Woman Empowerment chairperson Judge Amielyn M. Limbona.
Dr. How gave an overview of the Magna Carta for Women and the government’s remaining challenges in addressing VAW issues, while Ms. Aragat discussed the challenges of promoting a culture of non-violence in the Bangsamoro context.
During their talk, Ms. Limbona and Dr. Sobrevega-Chan focused on the specific roles of civil society and the academe in addressing VAW.
Davao City Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) officer in charge Lorna B. Mandin represented Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte Carpio and congratulated DFA Mindanao and the PWC of Davao for spearheading the event.
“Here in Davao City, in addressing violence against women and children, 1,834 clients were given legal assistance in 2017 through the IGDD. VAW survivors and other marginalized women were also given orientations and training on Magnegosyo Ta Day, an entrepreneurship program implemented through the City Social Services and Development Office. All 182 barangays of Davao City have also established VAW Desks and appointed trained VAW Desk Officers,” Ms. Mandin said.
All five woman speakers engaged the audience in an open forum right after the presentations.
The event, which was participated in by around 100 attendees, included Counsellor Yoshiaka Miwa of the Japanese Consular Office, Deputy Consul General Enda Yuliarty Farry of the Indonesian Consulate General, Honorary Consul Peter Faistauer of Austria, Honorary Consul Maria Lourdes Monteverde of Mexico, Director Maria Tonelete of the National Bureau of Investigation, PSSupt John Esteban of the Aviation Security Group, representatives from national government agencies, and senior high school and first-year college students of PWC of Davao.
Acting Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Robert O. Ferrer Jr. thanked PWC of Davao for partnering with DFA Mindanao-and in supporting its causes to increase awareness on the issue of gender-based violence. He said that this kind of activity calls each and every one to fulfill their role to help end VAW, speak up against incidents of VAW insert hyphen, and call the attention of relevant government front-line agencies and even the privatye sector to help.
He also used the opportunity to pay tribute to the women Ambassadors of the DFA who have shown exemplary leadership on this issue to the rest of the Philippine Foreign Service. He had noted that events similar to the VAW event being co-organized by DFA Mindanao and PWC of Davao City were being held worldwide at various Embassies and Consulates of the Philippines abroad.
The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW is observed annually from 25 November to 12 December to raise awareness among all stakeholders that VAW is a public issue of national concern. END
Resource speakers (from left) Judge Amielyn M. Limbona, Chairman of the Alliance Development Woman Empowerment, Ms. Lorna B. Mandin, Officer-in-Charge of the Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) of the Office of the City Mayor of Davao, Ms. Yoshria Isik Aragat, Administrative Assistant of the Office of the Commissioner Macadawan of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and OIC of the Davao New Moslem Care Center for Women, Dr. Marie Anne J. How, Division Chief of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI XI), and Head, Secretariat Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC), NEDA-RDC, and Dr. Lourdesita Sobrevega-Chan, Chair, University Research Council of the Ateneo de Davao University and Philippine Women’s Rights Representative, ASEAN Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. (DFA Mindanao photo)
DFA Mindanao Acting Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer giving the Closing Remarks. (DFA Mindanao photo)
Organizers, speakers and participants making the “VAW” sign as a pledge to be anti-violence against women advocates. (DFA Mindanao photo)