MANILA – The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pledged its full support for the annual 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
In a news release on Monday, the campaign, which runs annually from November 25 to December 12 as mandated by Proclamation 1172 s. 2006, aligns with the government’s goal to uphold women’s rights and address all forms of gender-based violence.
The PCO noted that the observance is further bolstered by Republic Act 10398, which declares November 25 of each year as the National Consciousness Day for the Eliminations of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC).
Under this law, government agencies are tasked with raising awareness about the prevalence and impact of violence against women and promoting its elimination.
The PCO said the campaign began on November 25, the International Day to Eliminate VAW, and will culminate on December 10, which is International Human Rights Day.
“The campaign is to emphasize VAW is a human rights violation and to ensure better protection for survivors and victims of violence,” the PCO said.
According to the United Nations’ definition, violence against women is “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is 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.”
The PCO cited the Philippine Statistics Authority’s National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in 2017, which revealed that one in four Filipino women aged 15 to 49 has experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence from a partner, relative, or acquaintance.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about one in three women (35 percent) has endured physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner or non-partner in their lifetime. (PNA)