PH Embassy conducts activities in Belgium, Luxembourg for 18-Day VAW campaign
BRUSSELS, 22 December 2021 – The Philippine Embassy in Brussels’ officers and staff show off the stop hand symbol to End Violence Against Women, marking start of a series of activities in line with the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December 2021.
The Embassy’s series of activities supporting the 2021 End VAW campaign began with the Women’s Art Workshops held in Luxembourg on 13 November 2021 and in Belgium on 20 November 2021, with women who have experienced domestic violence and those advocating against it as the participants. Their artworks were showcased in the Women’s Art Exhibit entitled “Let Our Voices Be Heard” held on 01, 02, 05-15 December 2021 in Brussels and on 03-04 December 2021 in Luxembourg. END
Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Eduardo José A. de Vega welcomes guests and participants during the opening of the Women’s Art Exhibit held at the Embassy on 1 December 2021.
Participants in the Women’s Art Workshop explain the significance of the poignant figures and symbolisms in their artworks
Public viewing of the Women’s Art Exhibit at the Embassy. The audience were also made aware of the presence of the Women Helping Women Network- Belgium volunteers and how the Embassy works in tandem with them and other Belgian agencies in providing emergency assistance to Filipinos in Belgium. ICT materials on Philippine laws that protect the rights of victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment were also made available to the viewing public.
On 3 December 2021, the Embassy formally launched the Women Helping Women Network – Luxembourg at the Philippine Consulate General in Luxembourg. This is a support group of Filipino and Luxembourgish composed of fifteen (15) volunteers working in tandem with the Embassy in providing emergency assistance to victims of violence, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation.
The Women’s Art Exhibit was also featured at the Philippine Consulate General in Luxemburg during the launching ceremony on 3 December 2021 until the following day as the Embassy conducted a consular outreach mission for the Filipino community in Luxembourg.
A lecture/forum for volunteers of the WHW Networks in Belgium and Luxembourg entitled “Supporting and Empowering Victims of Violence” via Zoom Meet on 09 December 2021 capped this year’s observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW. Some women who experienced violence shared their success stories on how they were able to transcend themselves from being victims to victors. The groups in Belgium and Luxembourg will be meeting separately in the first quarter of 2022 to concretize their plans and programs on expanding and strengthening their respective networks.