Manila: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday underscored the importance and urgency of the fight to end Violence Against Women (VAW). Gatchalian made this remark as the agency joined the government’s 18-day campaign to end VAW on the 20th anniversary of the signing of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 with the theme ‘VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras (End VAW, Now is the Time!)’.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD, as the lead of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children, stands united with fellow government agencies and the private sector in this critical fight. The DSWD chief expressed this commitment during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, emphasizing the agency’s dedication to protect the welfare of women and children through various activities supporting the campaign.

Among the activities prepared by the DSWD is a prayer to End VAW and an all-women cast Lupang H
inirang, which will be played during the flag-raising and retreat rites every Monday and Friday, respectively, throughout the campaign. An information desk has also been installed in the main lobby of the DSWD, displaying knowledge materials accessible to both personnel and clients.

In addition, a live press briefing on VAW will be included in the DSWD’s Thursday Media Forum on November 28, aiming to raise awareness and promote the agency’s programs and services for assisting VAW victim-survivors. The DSWD will also conduct an “Orange Exhibit” contest for all DSWD offices, encouraging them to creatively install an exhibit in the most prominent or iconic site of their office to draw attention to and engage with the campaign materials.

During the kick-off event, DSWD employees wore orange tops, aligning with the UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence Against Women campaign of the United Nations, which uses orange as a symbol of a bright and optimistic future free from violence against women and girls. This initiative
is part of the broader 18-Day Campaign to End VAW in the Philippines, declared under Proclamation No. 1172, signed on November 17, 2006, marking the period from November 25 to December 12 each year.