In alignment with the nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the PSRTI Gender and Development (GAD) Committee organized a series of activities to support the 2024 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW). This year’s campaign, running from November 25 to December 12, is themed “VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras!”

The GAD Committee invited a speaker from the Quezon City Local Government Unity (LGU), Ms. Rosemarie Marie De Vera Barte, to provide a comprehensive overview of the GAD situation in the Philippines. Her presentation included updates and explanations of key GAD-related laws, such as Republic Act 9710 and Republic Act 7912. Ms. Barte also addressed questions from PSRTI staff concerning signs of abuse and the appropriate authorities to contact in various situations. Informative briefers were distributed to staff for further understanding and reference.

The 2024 18-Day Campaign to End VAW aims to highlight two decades of progress under the Anti-VAWC Act (RA 9262), raise public awareness about the impacts of VAW, and promote community interventions. The campaign underscores the urgency of creating a VAW-free Philippines, encouraging collaborative efforts from all sectors of society. Key activities include public awareness campaigns, community engagement initiatives, and the launch of the National Action Plan to End VAW (NAPEVAW). The campaign also emphasizes empowering survivors by providing information on support services and resources available to them.

PSRTI’s participation in the campaign underscores its commitment to the national effort to eradicate violence against women and foster a safer, more equitable society for all alongside its pursuit of its own mandates.