PASIG CITY, December 16, 2016 – In celebration of the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women-Information Resource Management Division (PCW-IRMD), conducted the 2016 Annual 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children. The campaign is observed annually from November 25 to December 12.

With the theme “VAWC-Free Community Starts With Me,” the campaign aims to recognize everyone’s commitment and contribution in realizing a VAWC-free community, heighten awareness to help address violence against women and children, and encourage more people to contribute in pursuing the common vision of a VAWC-free community.

The national campaign activities included: 1) the Kick-off Activity by nineteen (19) DepEd representatives and Vice President Leni Robredo as the keynote speaker; 2) Orange Your Icon Advocacy Initiativelast November 29; and 3) Gender Sensitivity for Men/Organizing a Group of Male Advocates of CHED  on December 1-2.

DepEd enjoined all its offices, including the regional and schools division offices and schools, to participate in the following or similar activities during the campaign period: conducting fora/workshops to disseminate information to stakeholders on various forms of VAW in offices, schools, and communities; conducting school level contests such as essay writing, poster-making, slogan-making, among others; hanging of streamers announcing the campaign; and producing and distributing education and information materials.

As part of the campaign, the DepEd Central Office conducted the Forum on Anti-Sexual Harrassment Law on November 28, Forum on Laws Protecting Women on December 5, and a film viewing on December 6 held at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, where the 169 participants learned more about the gender-based violence.

By virtue of the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and Their Children (IACVAWC) composed of 12 agencies was created. As part of the IACVAWC, among the tasks of DepEd are to develop gender-fair curricula in elementary and secondary levels, produce gender-responsive instructional materials and integrate in the appropriate subject areas core messages on VAWC by providing lessons that emphasize the social costs and implications of VAWC.

To know more about the 2016 Annual 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children, visit http://www.pcw.gov.ph/event/VAWfreePH.

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