The lecture series lined-up today echoed the System’s commitment to the 18-day advocacy, highlighting the important policies and mechanisms to combat against violence against women. At the end of the 18-day campaign against VAW, December 12, the technical working group organized the Masculinity and Engaging Men in Ending Violence Against Women and Children and Safe Space Act (Bawal Bastos Law) in-person seminar for the Philippine Science High School System-Office of the Executive Director employees at ASTB AVR of the PSHS-Main Campus in Quezon City.

Ending VAW

The held in-person seminar on “Engaging Men and Women in Ending Violence against Women and Children” invited Ma. Aurora Lolita M. Lomibao, PhD, Associate Dean, College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines. She contextualizes Republic Act 9262 Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act in support of the 18-day campaign to end VAW. According to her, violence against women or VAW has intensified in many countries during the pandemic. Philippines is no exception. The community lockdowns and extended stay-at-home orders left victims trapped with their abusers.

Expanding the VAW-free community

The second resource speaker, Atty. Tranquillino Cagurangan, explained Republic Act 7877 – Sexual Harassment Act and Republic Act and 11313 – Safe Spaces Act or “Bawal Bastos Law” during the seminar on violence against women attended by employees of PSHS System – Office of the Executive Director.

Question: What can Pisay do to campaign against VAW?

In the Philippine Science High School System, we strive to fully implement the Magna Carta of Women, a move imperative to eliminate discrimination. In fact, the Office of the Executive Director (OED-Central) is composed of 53% women. For School 2022-2023, we are supporting a total of 9,990 scholars in 16 campuses with an overall gender ratio of almost 50:50. These are part of Pisay’s grassroot initiatives in achieving equal representation and gender balance within the organization.

Moreover, the System has set up the Committee on Decorum and Investigation on Sexual Harassment cases for the workforce and Guidance Counselling for the students, as well as well child-minding facilities and safe spaces open for everyone. The management, faculty, technical and administrative personnel both men and women are all empowered to be GAD advocates and involved in this participatory process, actively spearheading advocacy activities such as this seminar.

The Philippine Science High School System-Office of the Executive Director joins the observance of the 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW).  After the Flag Ceremony, all staff wearing their VAW-free shirts began their Monday morning exercises through the beat of “Kumilos Ka, Kalalakihan”, a music for women empowerment. At the lobby, a 4-minute shadow play video on how we can achieve a #VAWfreePH also inspired the employees to #VowToEndVAW and make collective efforts in elevating women’s self-worth as well as contribute to the safety of the community. Come 12 December, on a seminar, the PSHS System OED employees will learn about how they can engage men in creating safe spaces for women and children.

#RaiseYourVoice #Pisay #OneDOST4U #VAWFreePhilippines