COTABATO CITY — To culminate this year’s 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW) in the region, the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) officially launched on Dec. 12, five (5) Islamic sermons or “khutbah” on gender-based violence (GBV).
The five khutbah focused on rape, husband forcing sexual relations with his wife, violence against women, trafficking of women and girls, and wife desertion and abandonment.
BWC Chairperson Bainon Karon said “ulama” or Islamic scholars from the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, led by Grand Mufti Abu Huraira Udasan, and other Muslim religious leaders, helped in crafting the sermons.
“Ito ay magsisilbing guidelines ng ating mga ustadz sa ating community para ipaabot ang kaalaman kung ano ang hindi magandang dulot ng gender-based violence,” Karon said during the launching program held in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
Karon also urged the public to help BWC in ending violence against women and girls through educating themselves with their rights.
Meanwhile, in BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s statement, he said that the Bangsamoro Government reiterates its support to the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.
“We must foster an atmosphere where everyone responds with compassion and support should there be cases of violence against women and girls. The Government of the Day assures that the victims will be able to find help effortlessly and without the need to deal with further distress,” the statement read.
During Sunday’s activity, the Philippine National Police (PNP)- Maguindanao also re-launched its enhanced guidance notes on the prevention and response to GBV and VAW.
Chairperson Karon and PLtCol. Jobert Caldea led the official signing of BWC’s khutba and PNP’s guidance notes.
Also present during the program were Bangsamoro Parliament Deputy Speaker Atty. Omar Sema and Deputy Minority Floor Leader Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Datu Odin Municipal Mayor Bai Cheryll Lu Sinsuat, Maguindanao PNP-Women Children Protection Center, and partner representatives from national and international non-government organizations. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
