18TH DAY CAMPAIGN TO END VAW JUMPSTARTS TODAY
Vice President Noli de Castro, men advocates and guest
celebrities to support anti-VAW advocacy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Quezon City, November 24, 2006. Around 1000 participants from government agencies, non-government organizations and guest celebrities are expected to gather at the Quezon City Sports Club as the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), in partnership with other government bodies, formally opens the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) today.
This is a kickoff activity of the 18-Day Campaign which is themed "Ikaw at Ako Laban sa Karahasan sa Kababaihan". The theme highlights the context of women and men working together in the global fight against VAW.
At the launch today Vice President Noli de Castro will deliver the Keynote Speech. He will also lead the ribbon–pinning ceremony by wearing a white ribbon along with other men advocates. The white ribbon is an international symbol for anti-VAW advocacy.
Also included in the program is the soft launching of Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere (MOVE), a group of men anti-VAW advocates. Songwriter and singer Noel Cabangon renders the MOVE theme song, KUMILOS MGA KALALAKIHAN. The MOVE forum, which is also the formal launching of the group is scheduled on November 28 at the Manila Pavillion.
Other guest celebrities like Cherry Pie Picache and Ronnie Lazaro and famed scriptwriter Ricky Lee will grace the occasion by their presence and messages of support. Awardwinning actor/director Cesar Montano supports the campaign by appearing in the NCRFW-produced TV plug on VAW.
Rep. Josefina Joson, Sen. Loi Estrada, Sen. Franklin Drilon and former Sectoral Women's Rep. Patricia Sarenas will be awarded Plaques of Appreciation for having passed historic anti-VAW laws, RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004 and RA 9353 or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 which will be reviewed in an assessment forum on December 7 and 8.
At the end of the program, participants will adorn the Tree of Healing, a six-feet Christmas pine tree, with cards bearing messages of support to anti-VAW advocacy. This is paraded to signify the country's concerted effort in combating VAW.
The 18-Day Campaign is the commemorative event marking the International Day for the Elimination of VAW on November 25, the International Human Rights Day on December 10 and the Signing of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime including the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children on December 12.
It is the government's annual commitment to the international campaign against VAW, which includes rape, trafficking, sexual harassment and violence against women and children (VAWC).
For comments and questions, please contact
Ms. Anette Baleda, NCRFW Media Officer
Tel. No.: (632) 735 – 8509
Mobile No.: 09178074743
Email: aebaleda@yahoo.com.