DSWD-7 calls on men to become strong allies to end VAWC

 CEBU – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Regional Field Office VII called on men to become strong allies to end violence against women and children (VAWC), as it joined the nationwide observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) from November 25 to December 12, 2025.

This call to action is issued in Central Visayas through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking–Violence Against Women and their Children (IACAT7-VAWC), co-chaired by the DSWD-7 and the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

The IACAT7-VAWC, in a Convocation Program at the DSWD-7 on November 24, flashed the iconic “STOP VAWC” messages to align with Republic Act 10388 declaring November 25 of every year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of the VAWC in the Philippines.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero urged all staff and inter-agency members of the IACAT7 council to actively participate in the campaign by amplifying advocacy activities on social media and wearing orange shirts on designated dates in solidarity with the campaign. 

VAWC situation in PH

According to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), there were 8,055 reported VAWC cases in 2023, with 2,791 cases under the Anti-Rape Law; 473 under the Safe Spaces Act, and 59 under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, VAWC is a significant concern in the country.

The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveals that 17.5% of Filipino women aged 15-49 have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their intimate partners.

PSA reports that from 2016 to 2023, there were 116,903 cases under the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act or RA 9262; 20,083 rape cases under the Anti-Rape Law or RA 8353; 1,031 cases under Safe Spaces Act or RA11313; 620 sexual harassment cases under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act or RA 7877; and 2,031 trafficking cases under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act or RA 9208.

The government has implemented various mechanisms to address VAWC, including the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children, Barangay VAW Desks, and VAW hotlines.

The 18-Day Campaign to End VAWC

According to Lucero, the 18-Day Campaign to End VAWC is an annual advocacy campaign in the Philippines, observed from November 25 to December with the key objectives to highlight 20 years of achievements in addressing VAW under RA 9262; raise public awareness about the impact of VAW and encourage interventions. 

It also wants to promote a comprehensive response to VAW with a focus on prevention; empower survivors with information on support services and to launch the National Action Plan to End VAW (NAPEVAW).

Campaign activities include flag raising ceremonies with VAW related presentations and videos; distribution of IEC materials; online participation using hashtags like #VAWfreePH and #VowToEndVAW; the “The Orange Exhibit: Journey towards a VAW-free Philippines; the "Do the Macho Choir" Challenge to address catcalling and harassment and advocate for positive masculinity and male involvement.

The campaign aligns with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the UN's "UNiTE by 2030 to End VAW" initiative in partnerships with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), IACAT-VAWC, Department of Education (DepEd), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and SM Cares.

Lucero added that the campaign also highlights the importance of various sectors--youth as changemakers, men as allies, bystanders as empowered responders, and local leaders as drivers of policy reforms, all united in the mission to protect women, empower survivors, and uphold justice. (Photos: DSWD7-FB/Google Images)