DAR Regional Office 02 promotes VAW-free in the workplace

In support to the national government’s vision for a VAW-free Philippines, the Department of Agrarian Reform Regional Office 02 through its Gender and Development Program, spearheaded the Kick-Off Celebration of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women on November 28, 2023 during the flag-raising ceremony at DAR Regional Office Compound, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

The kick-off celebration started with a Zumba followed by the hanging of tarpaulin as a means of reminding, supporting and spreading awareness on the advocacy of the government to eliminate all forms of violence against women.

In an inspirational message, RD Primo C. Lara highlighted the importance of respect and understanding between women and men to prevent any form of violence in the workplace. He also encourages the employees to actively participate in the campaign and be an advocate of anti-violence against women.

Thereafter, a Seminar on Creating Gender Transformative, Safe and Inclusive Workplace: Knowing Sexual Violence and Safe Space Act was conducted which aims to increase the awareness of every employee of the need to give protection to human rights and fundamental freedoms to women and girls.

The Resource Person, through Atty. Cary Joy Guiyab, Public Attorney I, has provided a broader discussion on the scope of the Safe Space Act, such as to include gender-based sexual harassment in streets and many other public spaces, in cyber space, in the workplace, and in education and training institutions. She also enumerated the duties of employees and co-workers, remedies and liabilities, offenses, acts, and penalties of the same.

Likewise, to have a uniform understanding on Republic Act No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, a thorough orientation on its salient features has been discussed by Atty IV Vicky Runa Dulay-Marcos to all DARRO 02 employees.

In a closing message, SuAO Ma. Annette L. Romano gave emphasis that workplace should be free from any form of harassment and must be conducive for its employees to achieve and deliver the department’s mandate.  

The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW is observed annually from November 25 to December 12 by virtue of Republic Act 10398 or the Act declaring November 25 of every year as the “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAWC”. The current campaign will focus on the new recurring banner “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines”.

By: ARPO II Vanessa P. Unipa