The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) joins the observance of an 18-Day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW) through a series of activities to raise awareness on it and its various forms.
This year’s campaign is a milestone, marking the 20th year of the Philippines’ support of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children campaign. With the new theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines,” the campaign was officially launched in DOST-PCAARRD through a program held on November 25, the first day of the 18-day campaign.
The program started with an opening message from Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, PCAARRD’s Executive Director and Chairperson of DOST-PCAARRD’s Gender and Development FocalPoint System (GFPS). In his message, Dr. Ebora highlighted PCAARRD’s role in being at the forefront of various initiatives related to gender and development (GAD) in the Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR) sector and beyond. He mentioned that PCAARRD activities for the campaign show that the Council is moving beyond the boundaries of Research and Development (R&D) to becoming a catalyst of change that stands against all forms of abuse against women.
This message, in support of ending VAW, was also echoed by Dr. Ernesto O. Brown, Director of the Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) and the Head of the GFPS Executive Committee. In his message of support, delivered by Ms. Meliza F. Abeleda, SERD Assistant Director, Dr. Brown shared that PCAARRD not only supports gender-responsive R&D management and implementation, but also offers itself in service of its stakeholders, particularly women, ensuring that no one is left behind.
The program proceeded with the signing of the “Pledge Wall,” which symbolizes PCAARRD’s vow to end VAW. Led by the GFPS Technical Working Group (TWG), the PCAARRD staff hand painted the pledge wall to show their individual support for ending VAW.
After the launching program, PCAARRD also kicked-off the remaining campaign activities including the “Orange Your Icon Advocacy Initiative” wherein iconic PCAARRD landmarks were adorned with orange decorations and symbols, in line with the campaign color. The marker named “the Offering,” which is the symbolic sculpture located at the heart of PCAARRD, was adorned with an orange “sablay.” It symbolizes PCAARRD’s public statement of support to the Anti-VAW campaign. The lobbies were also installed with an orange exhibit including posters about VAW scenarios, an orange photobooth, as well as the signed pledge walls to remain open for public signing until December 12. The LED Wall and lobby monitor also streams materials about VAW. Lastly, the streetlights along PCAARRD’s driveway were installed with orange flags painted with the VAW symbol to emphasize our call for the prevention of all forms of VAW. PCAARRD staff and employees also joined the “Wear Your Campaign” activity wherein orange shirts, ribbon pins, masks and holders were provided to be worn for the campaign.
Together with these activities, PCAARRD also launched an online campaign which aims to gather the narratives of its stakeholders about VAW through a photo caption contest wherein everyone is invited to post their Anti-VAW campaign photos with caption using #VAWFreePH and #VowToEndVAW. These various campaign activities were conducted through the initiative of the GAD Secretariat under SERD.