WOMEN'S MONTH. A campaign material shows this year's theme of the National Women's Month celebration in the country. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has asked village officials to fully activate their respective community-based violence against women help desks as part of the celebration. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Commission on Women)
PALO, Leyte – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has asked village officials to fully make the community-based violence against women (VAW) help desks functional as the country celebrates the National Women’s Month.
These desks in villages is seen as an essential support to the PNP’s drive on violence against women, especially in remote communities.
“The barangay (village) VAW help desk is very important since they are the first responders if a woman is a victim of violence,” said Lt. Zenaiah Sudio, chief of the regional women and children protection desk, in a press briefing on Monday.
In 2020, several agencies led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued a joint memorandum circular setting guidelines in the establishment of a VAW desk in every village.
VAW desk is a facility that would address VAW cases in a gender-responsive manner, managed by a person designated by the village chief. It is situated within the premises of the village hall.
“If our village officials need technical assistance, our VAW desk in every police station is ready to capacitate them,” added Lt. Col. Ma. Bella Rentuaya, PNP regional spokesperson.
The VAW desk is tasked to respond and record the gender-based violence cases brought to the village, and submit a quarterly report on all VAW cases to the city or municipal government.
The desk officer is also expected to keep VAW case records confidential and secure, and ensure that only authorized personnel can access it, assist victims of VAW in securing village protection order and access necessary services, and develop the village gender-responsive plan in addressing gender-based violence.
VAW refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
Among these are battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence, and violence related to exploitation.
Also included are psychological violence occurring within the community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, trafficking in women, prostitution, and intimidation at work, in educational institutions, and elsewhere.
The National Women’s Month celebration every March is part of the worldwide observance of the International Women’s Day.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “We Make Change Work for Women”.
The celebration seeks to inform and engage women as stakeholders of government programs and services promote citizen-centric governance, and make “change” a conscious effort to know, understand, and provide what all citizens need.
Another objective is to create and facilitate platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges, and commitments in pursuing gender and development to strengthen implementation of the Magna Carta of Women.
The month-long celebration also aims to inspire and empower women and girls to be agents of change to contribute in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of all women. (PNA)
