PH Embassy in Tokyo Empowers Filipino Community with Seminar on Anti-VAW Laws

Philippine Embassy Chargė d’Affaires, a.i. Charmaine A. Serna-Chua delivers the Seminar’s opening remarks on behalf of Ambassador Mylene J. Garica-Albano. (Tokyo PE Photo)

TOKYO 09 December 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Japan, under the auspices of its Gender and Development (GAD) program and in connection with the 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December, organized a seminar for the Filipino Community to discuss the rights and laws pertaining to VAW on 01 December 2024 at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Embassy.

The Seminar, entitled “Tama Na, Enough Is Enough, もう、たくさんだ “, highlighted the VAW realities among Filipinos in Japan, including the various forms of abuse experienced from spouses and partners, such as physical and emotional abuse, and the social stigma associated with VAW.  

Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Charmaine A. Serna-Chua, speaking on behalf of Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, highlighted that, based on the estimates of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and statistics released by the Japanese government, approximately 1 in 3 women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence. Thus, she underscored the need to empower Filipino women in Japan to break the cycle of abuse.

Ms. Jamille R. San Jose, Legal Officer of the Philippine Embassy and a trained lawyer in the Philippines, served as the Seminar’s resource person. She presented the relevant Philippine and Japanese laws related to VAW, most notably the countries’ respective constitutions. She also discussed the Philippines’ Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, and Japan’s Act No. 31 of 13 April 2001 or the Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims whose most recent revision took effect in April 2024. Ms. San Jose underscored that under Philippine law, VAW can be in the form of economic abuse.

The Embassy shared the various assistance it provides to victims of abuse, through its Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Unit, such as counseling, legal and repatriation assistance, and referral to local entities for the provision of temporary shelter, food and clothing. The available assistance programs offered by the Japanese government were also disseminated to the attendees.

The 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) is an annual advocacy movement in the Philippines, first launched in 2006 through Proclamation No. 1172, which designated 25 November to 12 December as the period for intensified efforts to address violence against women. This campaign aligns with the global observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 and culminates on December 12, marking the adoption month of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the campaign focuses on raising awareness about the root causes and consequences of gender-based violence. It also emphasizes the government’s commitment to upholding women's rights, protecting victims and survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable. The initiative is supported by a broad coalition of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community stakeholders. END

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, led by Chargė d’Affaires, a.i. Charmaine A. Serna-Chua (seated, 5th from left), conducts a seminar on the laws on violence against women on 01 December 2024 at the Embassy’s Multi-Purpose Hall, under its Gender and Development (GAD) Program and in commemoration of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December. (Tokyo PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.tokyo.philembassy.net or https://www.tokyope.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJapan/.