President Rodrigo Duterte has reaffirmed his commitment to work towards ending gender-based violence.
In a statement from Malacanang Palace, Duterte said “A community that is free from violence against women is a place where women and men live together in harmony and treat each others as partners in the pursuit of our country’s economic, social, cultural, and political development.”
Duterte said “we can only achieve this if we will work together.”
“Under my leadership, all agencies shall ensure that laws relative to VAW and the Magna Carta of Women will be fully implemented at all levels. Our government is committed to put in place and enforce policies and mechanisms to ensure that no woman or girl will become a victim of violence,” Duterte said.
Duterte has encouraged the Filipinos to “play our important roles in creating ripples of change in society; in improving our present conditions; and in building a better future.”
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Parisya Taradji said every sector in society have the responsibility to end violence against women and children.
The DSWD is taking the necessary steps to help rehabilitate victims of VAW. “We have to ensure that experiencing violence should be assisted to help them recover.”
The 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) is observed every year from November 25 to December 12 to raise awareness that violence against women is of national concern.