Culmination of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW on Dec. 12, 2023, featuring the launch of the Regional Guidance Note for gender-based violence (GBV) Prevention and Response, CP-GBV Referral Pathway, and the unveiling of Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) Policy Research Outputs, at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in Cotabato City. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Chairperson Bainon Karon of the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) emphasized on Tuesday the unwavering dedication of the Bangsamoro Government to achieving holistic violence against women (VAW)-free region.
This commitment was highlighted on December 12 during the culmination program of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), spearheaded by the BWC and the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), inside Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC) here.
The NonViolent Peaceforce (NP), the UK Government through the United Nations Development Fund, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and other BARM Government agencies also supported the campaign activities.
The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW is an annual event celebrated in the Philippines from November 25 to December 12, aiming to protect the human rights of women against violence and all other forms of discrimination, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1172, series of 2006.
Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie of the Social Services and Development stressed that the regional government is at the forefront of safeguarding and empowering Bangsamoro women, stating, ‘We have zero tolerance for gender-based violence (GBV).’
Chairperson Atty. Abdul Rashid Kalim of the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC), the Gender and Development (GAD) Ombud of the BARMM, shared that the Ombud guidelines, promoting GAD advocacies in the region, have a unique approach to the Bangsamoro context in moral governance.
Likewise, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim reassured that the transitional government continuously fosters women’s welfare, especially in the advancement of the entire BARMM.
“We will continue to actively engage women as partners to sustain the dividends of the peace process and our pursuit of sustained development and progress,” the Chief Minister emphasized.
The launch of the following inter-agency interventions, aimed at eradicating VAW in the Bangsamoro region and appropriately addressing real-time violence cases, also transpired during the culmination: Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Guidance Note on GBV Prevention and Response; Child Protection-GBV Referral Pathway; and BWC Policy Research Outputs.
Additionally, the BWC, MSSD, Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), Ministry of Health (MOH), BHRC, and the PNP Regional Office in BARMM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in pursuit of ending VAW in the Bangsamoro region.
These initiatives align with the 12th priority agenda of CM Ebrahim, particularly in promoting the self-sustaining and inclusive development of Bangsamoro women. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
