CSPC joins 18-day campaign to end VAW – Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

The Center of Gender and Development (CGAD) under the headship of Mr. Dennis Rañon, The Director of the said office participated in the observance of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence against Women and Children (VAWC) by the Philippine Women Commission on November 25- December 10, 2020 at the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) Auditorium.

Violence against women (VAW) is a grave violation of women’s rights and fundamental freedoms. By virtue of Republic Act 10398 or the Act declaring November 25 of every year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAWC, government agencies are mandated to raise awareness on the problem of violence and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and children.

According to PCW, the 2020 Campaign comes at a time when the country is reeling from the COVID 19 pandemic that aggravated underlying gender issues and affected marginalized and vulnerable sectors.

In his opening message on November 25, 2020, Dr. Charlito P. Cadag, College President, encouraged everyone to continue the advocacy with the hope that in the pursuit of such, it will eventually open the minds of those who refuse to understand and make a change.

Keynote speaker Ms. Shyla Bernal Dumalasa gave a talk on basic VAW concepts and gender-based violence. Ms. Dumalasa is a member of SALIGAN-Bicol, a non-government organization that works with the marginalized sectors towards their empowerment through the law and legal resources.

Atty. Hazel Paguio-Lastrollo, former College Accountant and now a Clerk of Court at the Regional Trial Court of Labo, Camarines Norte, graced the event as the resource speaker for Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.

December 7, 2020, marked the third day of the said event, Atty. Deonalaine Ivy Figura, Legal Officer of Central Bicol State University of Bicol (CBSUA) talked about the Anti- Harassment and Safe Spaces Act.

Atty. Arlene Q. Alangco, Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights discussed the Anti- Trafficking Law in Persons Act. Further, a MOA signing between the commission and CSPC took place. This is to build a strong partnership in attaining the goal of VAW Free Community in CSPC.

Moreover, the activity encouraged participants to share the campaign’s recurring theme “VAW-free community starts with Me” online by using it as an official hashtag. Partakers were also encouraged to use the “End VAW” Facebook profile frame made available through the Philippine Commission on Women’s official Facebook page.

Pre-Test and Post- Test was also administered by the GAD Staff to help them gauge the know-how and awareness of the participants on the different topics cited above.