15 December 2023, CANBERRA - The Philippine Embassy in Canberra joined the observance of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) on 25 November to 12 December 2023 with the recurring theme “UNITEd for a VAW-free Philippines.” This campaign theme is aligned with the “UNITE by 2030 to End Violence Against Women” initiative of the UN Women, a multi-year effort to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide.

According to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index Report by the World Economic Forum, the Philippines continues to lead as the most gender-equal country in Asia, with a 79.1% gender parity, and is ranked 16th out of 146. However, it is important to acknowledge that the violence against women and girls persists in various forms. This reinforces the collective responsibility of every Juan and Juana to take a dedicated stance against VAW with the aim to pave the way toward a VAW-free Philippines.

In solidarity with the campaign, the Embassy organized on 29 November 2023 an orientation on the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004 in cooperation with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and discussed the forms of VAWC, legal remedies for victims, and ways to promote awareness on Anti-VAWC. The Embassy provided the public with copies of PCW brochures on the Anti-VAWC Act and the Safe Spaces Act to promote awareness.

To know more about the campaign, visit PCW's website:
[https://pcw.gov.ph/2023-18-day-campaign-to-end-violence-against-women/ ] -END-