MALES OPPOSING VAW. An all male movement, ‘Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya-Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere’ (KATROPA-MOVE) gathers some 100 members. Organized by the Cavite provincial government, it is formally launched at the Bulwagang Tanglaw, DepEd compound in Trece Martires City on Tuesday (Aug. 7, 2018). The movement aims to entice male participation in its campaign for a more gender sensitive and responsive violence-free community. (Photo courtesy of Cavite Information Community Affairs Divison)
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – An all-male movement campaigning for a more gender sensitive and responsive violence-free community gathered some 100 members organized by the provincial government for its formal launching here.
Cavite’s Provincial Information Community Affairs Divison (PICAD) on Thursday bared that the movement, dubbed as ‘Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya-Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere’ (KATROPA-MOVE), has already enjoined male members from the government, private sector, academe and non-government organizations (NGOs).
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) spearheaded the orientation and forum at the Bulwagang Tanglaw, Department of Education compound here on Tuesday as part of the movement’s formative stage.
During the orientation, the 100 participants were briefed on the movement’s objectives, important gender-themed topics such as ‘Gender Sensitivity,’ as well as ‘Gender Based Violence and Related Laws.’
PSWDO Head Felipa G. Servañez formally welcomed the guests, while Executive Assistant to the Governor Rodel Vincent Bae delivered Gov. Jesus Crispin Remulla’s inspirational message and also assured all present that he too is a "katropa" (buddy).
In his talk, Bae congratulated PSWDO for recognizing male participation in the global campaign.
The day’s resource speakers include Dionisio B. Dalusong, OIC-Division Chief Institutional Development Division, DSWD IV-A; Paul Mark Feranil from the Cavite Provincial Population Office (on topic: Men’s Responsibilities on Gender and Development, MGAD) and ‘Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA).
Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as ‘Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004’ declared that the State values the dignity of women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights, recognizes the need to protect the family and its members from personal threats and exert efforts to address violence committed against women and children in keeping with the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitutions, as well as the Provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) records show that based on the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 5 women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since age 15, one in 25 women aged 15-49 who have ever had sex ever experienced forced first sexual intercourse while one in 10 women under the same age group experienced sexual violence.
There are other forms of violence like physical violence during pregnancy and spousal violence among others.
The participants during Tuesday's orientation committed to support the campaign to end violence against women. (PNA)
