The Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) kicks off the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City on Nov. 25, 2024. (Michael Camsa/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) Chairperson Bainon Karon emphasized on Nov. 25 the critical role of the male sector in ensuring an autonomous region free from violence against women (VAW) and girls.
The statement came during the launch of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), Bangsamoro Government Center in this city.
“By engaging men and boys, along with community and religious leaders, we can foster a supportive environment for survivors and build safer communities for women and girls,” said Chairperson Karon during the 6th State of the Bangsamoro Women Address (SoBWA).
Her address coincided with the campaign which runs annually from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12 under Presidential Proclamation 1172, s. 2006. It aims to raise awareness and encourage collaboration to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
Towards a VAW-Free BARMM
Karon emphasized that despite the progress in addressing ‘pervasive’ social issues concerning the security and welfare of women and girls in the region, various strategies and approaches in ending VAW shall be reviewed to achieve the Government of the Day’s goal—a VAW-free BARMM.
“Ensuring the welfare of the survivors is the utmost priority and not the other way around, where survivors suffer more as they are married to the perpetrators,” she added.
She stated that as duty bearers, human-rights-based and multi-sectoral approaches to VAW guarantee survivors’ access to dignified life-saving services such as health, psychosocial support, social services, protection, justice, and legal aid.
As emphasized under Section 12 Article IX of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)—the law responsible for the creation of the BARMM—the interim government shall uphold and protect the fundamental rights of women, including the right to engage in lawful employment and to be protected from exploitation, abuse, or discrimination. Functionality of Barangay VAW Desk
Minister Atty. Elijah Dumama-Alba of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) also shared about the Barangay VAW Desk, designed to cater to the concerns violating Republic Act No. 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004, and other forms of gender-based discrimination and mayhems.
The Minister said that the VAW desk is not ‘merely’ a requirement under Section 408 of the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code (BLGC), saying, “It is a declaration of our commitment to protect and empower the women of Bangsamoro—a sector whose resilience has long been the backbone of our communities yet continues to endure challenges that demand urgent actions.”
Alba added that every victim who asks for assistance at the desk carries a story of pain, courage, and hope—ones that local leaders shall not neglect.
“This is why functionality is non-negotiable. It is the bridge between our aspirations and the realities of the women we seek to serve,” she stressed.
Interventions regarding the self-sustaining and inclusive development of women, youth, and other vulnerable sectors are aligned with the 12th priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
