PH Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Declared A Safe Space For Women And Girls

Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio led the official signing ceremony of the Declaration of the Establishment of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam as a Safe Space for Women and Girls as witnessed by leaders of Filipino community organizations and Embassy personnel. (photo from Brunei PE)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 22 December 2023 - The commencement of the 18-Day Campaign To End Violence Against Women and Girls in the Sultanate began with a declaration of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam as a safe space for women and girls.

“Today, it is with pride that we declare the Philippine Embassy in Brunei to be a safe space for women and girls. Let us send a clear message that VAW is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Let us create a world free from violence,” proclaimed Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam H. E. Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio.

The declaration signed on 25 November 2023, recognizes the protection work done by the Philippine Embassy in promoting the welfare of Filipinos overseas, particularly of women and girls, and commits to establishing a space where women and girls feel emotionally and physically safe.

In line with the theme “UNITed for a VAW-free Philippines”, the Philippine Embassy also held a special flag raising ceremony attended by leaders of Filipino community organizations in Brunei Darussalam and embassy personnel.

Dressed in white with matching VAW advocacy stickers, the participants attended a flag-raising ceremony led by an all-woman flag-raising team. A moment of silence was also observed for the victims of violence around the world, particularly women and children, perpetrated by war and armed conflict. The observance of a moment of silence will be held every Monday during the flag raising ceremony for the month of December.

The observance culminated with the presentation of a series of five (5) award-winning short-length films from the 2019 Cine Juana Digital Shorts organized by PCW, namely, “Hatdog ni Boyet” by KMBT Productions of CIIT Philippines, “Alas Tres” by Cinema Agustino, La Consolacion College Manila, “How To Pick Up Chicks” by 5ML Asia Pacific College, “Blager” by Majarlika Productions, Tarlac State University and “Mabuti Na Lang” by Para Bongga ang Productions, Nueva Ecija University of Science andTechnology. The film-showing generated a spirited discussion among members of the Filipino community on recognizing the forms of abuse experienced by women and girls. END.

Embassy personnel and leaders of the Filipino community organizations during the flag raising ceremony (photo from Brunei PE)

Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio speaks on the importance of observing the annual campaign advocating for the elimination of VAWC to raise awareness. (photo from Brunei PE)

Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio signs the Declaration Recognizing the Philippine Chancery in Brunei Darussalam as a Safe Space for Women and Girls.

(photo from Brunei PE)

For more information, visit https://www.bruneipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassybrunei.org  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBrunei/, https://twitter.com/PHinBrunei  or https://www.instagram.com/phinbrunei/.