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According to the Philippine Commission on Women (PWC), violence against women (VAW) remains as one of the country’s perennial social problems. It manifests and perpetuates discrimination and gender inequality. It violates the fundamental right of women to live a life free from violence as upheld in international commitments and their local translation.
The PWC adds that VAW negatively affects women and girls’ physical, psychological, sexual, and mental well-being thereby hampering them from achieving their full potential.
Through gender awareness and sensitivity trainings, the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women which begins on November 25 and ends on December 12 was created in 2016 by the Inter-agency Council on VAW. Since then, the long-running theme has always been: “VAW-free Community Starts with Me.” The same central message is conveyed in this year’s observance.
The Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) has consistently mobilized efforts to initiate gender and development (GAD) activities at the workplace. In solidarity with PWC’s “Safe Spaces, Kasali Tayo” campaign, along with slogans “Let’s Make this a Safe Space” and “Sana All Spaces Safe,” the PS-DBM joins the initiation of activities to elevate the public’s knowledge of the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 (SSA or Republic Act No. 11313). The SSA defines and penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in the streets and public spaces, workplace, educational and training institutions, and online.
LOOK: PS-DBM participates in the 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW) from November 25 to December 12, 2021
Through the development, printing, display, and distribution of campaign and advocacy materials on VAW and SSA, showing of PWC-produced videos and infomercials, and participating in online events, the PS-DBM commits to bringing awareness among its employees to ensure safe spaces at the workplace towards building a VAW-free community, society, and nation.
The PS-DBM’s participation in the 18-day campaign to end VAW is a testament of the agency’s dedication to provide employees with a safe work environment. The campaign will be spearheaded by PS-DBM’s Gender and Development Focal Point System.