With gender-based violence still a major concern in the Philippines, the Zonta Club of Cebu II will commemorate the 18 Days of Activism to Stop Gender-based Violence with several activities.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the number of cases of domestic violence cases against women increased when COVID-19 occurred in the country. It reported that cases of rape rose from 1,656 in 2018 to 2,168 in 2020.
During the pandemic lockdowns, from March to May 2020, an average of eight victim-survivors of sexual assault were recorded every day. Also, there was an increase in tips reporting online sexual exploitation of children. The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW (violence against women and children) will promote the Philippine government’s goal of providing human rights protection for women and girls as mandated in the 1987 Constitution.
Before the formal start of the annual commemoration of the 18 Days of Activism to Stop Gender-based Violence, the Zonta Club of Cebu II launched the Photo Competition with the theme “To Raise Awareness and Address Violence Against Women and Children.” The club also launched the Poetry Competition with the theme, “Violence Against Women Stops with Me.”
The last day of submission of entries for the Poetry Competition is on November 25, 2022 and for the Photo Competition is on November 27, 2022.
On November 21, 2022, there will be a Flag Raising Ceremony with the Philippine National Police and the PNP provincial office that will mark their collaboration with Zonta Club of Cebu II as vanguards against Gender-Based Violence.
Another activity scheduled on November 24, 2022 is the opening of the Zonta Club of Cebu II Women, Gender and Family Studies Section at the Mandaue City Library and the Cebu City Public Library. This section will provide books and other research materials, information and resources on the field of gender studies with find featured content, new titles, instructional support information, research tips, and curated, subject-specific resources for performing research in gender studies. for teachers and students.
On November 25, 2022, the Zonta Club of Cebu II will hold the formal launching of the 18- Days of Activism to Stop Gender-based Violence through a virtual forum “Saying No to VAW (violence against women and children) is Everyone’s Business” with well-respected resource speakers Ms. Emmeline Versoza, Ms. Annabelle G. Maglasang and Atty. Mae Aguilar.
Ms. Versoza, former executive director of the Philippine Commission on Women. Vice president of the Board of Trustees of UP Women Studies’ Commission and independent Gender and Development (GAD) program consultant, will speak on the status of Filipino Women.
Ms. Maglasang, coordinator of the UP Gender and Development Office Guidance Services, will tackle “Psychosocial Support from Violence in Schools, in the Workplace and the Community.”
On the other hand, Atty. Mae Aguilar will discuss “Issues and Challenges that a Woman Faces in VAW: Strategies in Place for her Actions. Atty. Joan Largo and Ms. Apple Yu will be on the panel of reactors.
Another activity, the Visayas Art Fair with the theme “Feminism in the Performing Arts,” is scheduled on November 26, 2022 at the Oakridge IT Center.
On the same day, the Zonta Club of Cebu II and in coordination with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter will also conduct a medical mission for the Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL) at the Operation Second Chance Center in Cebu City.
The next day, November 27, 2022, the Zonta Club of Cebu II will hold a self-defense activity -the Stay Safe: Self Defense Moves for Women” at the Heritage Plaza in Mandaue City.
On November 28, 2022, there will a forum entitled “Strengthening the PNP WCPU through Gender-Responsive Delivery Services” to be held at the Bai Hotel.
Two additional virtual forums will also be part of the activities. The webinar “Youth, Peace & Conflict Resolution: Towards a generation of Peace Builders” will be held on December 6, 2022. Dr. Jerry J. Jurisprudencia will be the speaker during the said activity.
Another webinar on “Implementing Rights-Based VAWC Services: The Role of the Four Pillars in the Recovery of VAWC Survivors” with Atty. Mylene Esquivel as the speaker is scheduled on December 8, 2022.
On December 9, the forum on “Engaging Men & Boys as Allies in Ending Gender-Based Violence” with Atty Bobby Quitain as the speaker will be held at the Oakridge Business Park in Mandaue City.
On December 12, 2022, there will be a virtual forum on the topic “Voyeurism: New Age Violence against Women and Children and the Salient Features of Republic Act 9995 or the Anti-photo and Video Voyeurism Act. Also, there will be a virtual announcement of the Winners for the Photo and Poetry Competitions on this day.
The final activity will be the E-Visit in Jail Giving of Christmas Favors at the Mandaue City Bureau of Jail Management and Penology on December 15, 2022.
