BACOLOD City officials spearheaded the launching of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) in rites held at the Bacolod Government Center Friday.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, with Councilor Cindy Rojas, chair of Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on women and gender, and Councilor Sonya Verdeflor, led the signing of a covenant to end VAW.
They were joined by barangay representatives, officers of Soroptimist International, personnel of Philippine National Police Women and Children Desk, and Rotary Club Boy and Girl officials.
“Violence against women comes in many ways; the saddest part of it is the psychological trauma that it gives to the person who is experiencing such predicament,” Familiaran said in his message.
He added: “If the government is doing its part to eliminate violence against women, we, as responsible citizens, should also do our part, by educating our families on how to treat women properly, we should also teach our children the right manner on how a woman is to be treated, and we, as men, should always remember that we should treat our partners with the utmost respect that they deserve.”
Rojas asked, “How can you contribute in your community to end violence against women?”
"If you can answer this question, indeed we can end violence against women completely,” the councilor said.
A message from President Rodrigo Duterte was read by Isabela Therese Dedel, the girl councilor counterpart of Rojas from Bacolod City National High School.
“A community that is free from violence against women is a place where women and men live together in harmony,” a portion of the President’s message read.
The activity was organized by the Bacolod Gender and Development Council and the Department of Social Services and Development.
It coincided with the launch of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women being observed every November 25 worldwide.