Violence Against Women shortened as VAW is one of the country’s perennial social problems has become a concern for the Government of the Philippines. According to the virtue of Republic Act, 10398 of the Act, November 25 is declared as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAWC in the Philippines. One of the measures and mechanisms that have been employed and implemented to address VAW is an advocacy campaign named 18-Day Campaign to End VAW. This campaign is positive advocacy that invites everyone to pursue the common vision of a community free from violence against women and girls and highlights what can be done to achieve such. The 18-Day Campaign observed annually to December 12. Many tactics are carried out in the campaign activities, the Twibbonize frame below for instance.
Filipino Marespeto: Safe Spaces, Kasali Tayo • by Tal Pasion
Link: https://twb.nz/honoriansafespaces
“Join the observance of 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women November 25 to December 12” described this Twibbonize frame. Almost 25 thousand Filipinos have used this Twibbonize frame to contribute to the campaign. As seen in the frame, “VAW-free community starts with Me” is the theme adopted by the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women (IACVAWC) for 2016 to 2021.
In 2019, the Safe Spaces Act (SSA or Republic Act No. 11313) was enacted into law, which defines and penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in the streets and public spaces, workplace, educational and training institutions, and online. This 2021 campaign generally aims to promote awareness about SSA for both the general public and institutions that are mandated to implement the law and shall spotlight RA No. 11313.
The United Nations defines VAW as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.” Violence against women (VAW) manifests and perpetuates discrimination and gender inequality. Everyone can contribute to support this campaign or even arrange one with super easy steps on Twibbonize.
