PH Country Team in Shanghai Stands Up vs. Violence against Women

The PH Country Team in Shanghai and Filcom Leaders Join Hands vs. VAW. (Shanghai PCG photo)

SHANGHAI, 29 November 2021 – The premises of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Shanghai turned orange as the PH country team in the city stood up to be counted in the national and global observance of the Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) on 24 November 2021.

Donning the orange colors of the global campaign against VAW, the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General, Philippine Trade and Investment Center, and the Philippine Department of Tourism Office gathered to mark the Philippine Government’s annual 18-day campaign that runs from 25 November until 12 December. Joining them were Filipino Community in Shanghai President Ms. Michelle Teope-Shen, and fellow Filipino community movers Ms. Lee Mie Yee of Dai-Ichi Electronics Shanghai Co., Ltd., and Ms. Annie Yap of Metrobank.

The 18-day advocacy period began in the Philippines with the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 1172 in 2006. The dates bookending the campaign are significant: November 25 is the International Day against VAW, while December 12 marks the date of adoption in 2000 of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children of the UN Convention Against Transnational Crime.

The Philippine observance lasting until 12 December is two days longer than the 16 days marked by most other nations, which concludes on December 10, the annual commemoration of Human Rights Day.

Addressing the gathering, Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio underscored the important role of Philippine Foreign Service posts in supporting response mechanisms to combat VAW. He also stressed the need for personnel to capacitate themselves on understanding VAW, handling cases in coordination with local authorities, and working with Filipino community organizations to spread the commitment to prevent and fight VAW to their members.

The Philippine campaign theme for the period 2016-2021 is a “VAW-free community starts with Me.” This year’s observance also seeks to raise awareness of the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act 11313) among the general public, under the slogan "Filipino Marespeto; Safe Spaces, Kasali Tayo." END

Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio addresses the gathering on the significance of the 18-Day Campaign vs. VAW. (Shanghai PCG photo)

For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.