16 DECEMBER 2024
Benguet State University (BSU), through the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, successfully concluded its 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW). The campaign which ran from November 25 to December 12, 2024, aimed to raise awareness about VAW and promote gender equality.
Various activities were conducted during the campaign including seminars, a fun ride, the Safe Spaces Pledge, extension of legal services, and the culminating program. These events provided a platform for discussions on the different forms of VAW, its impact on the university and communities, and strategies to prevent and address it.
The culminating program started with a VAWalk. The walk from the Administration Building to the Gymnasium aimed to unite individuals to stand against VAW and show support to the victims. BSU faculty members, staff, students, and representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) joined the walk.
This was followed by the welcome remarks and the rationale of the activity by GAD-Technical Working Group (GAD-TWG) member Gigy B. Banes.
Administrative Division Chief Matias C. Angiwan Jr. then led the Safe Spaces Pledge. The pledge encourages everyone, from public servants to private employees and individuals, to commit in creating safe spaces.
In his message, VP for Administration and Finance who was also representing President Kenneth A. Laruan, shared the importance of addressing the issues regarding VAW. He stated that understanding our origin and the gravity of sin is essential in solving this problem.
Supervising Education Program Specialist and GAD Focal Person for CHED-CAR Menzie O. Kuengan emphasized the importance of integrating gender perspectives into all aspects of the university, from policies and programs to curricula and research. It also highlighted the importance of cultural values like bain, inayan, and lawa in preventing VAW.
Afterwards, a training-forum on the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) and the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (RA 9262) was conducted.
The Safe Spaces Act was discussed by Angiwan highlighting the law’s extended definition of sexual harassment, stricter penalties for offenders, and the mandate for establishing safe spaces to protect victims.
Next, Chief Legal Officer Reynante B. Basco talked about the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004. Basco emphasized the law’s focus on domestic violence within intimate relationships and its addressing of different forms of workplace harassment and violence.
“Maganda iyong activity and iyong discussion nila sir, kasi additional knowledge siya, at the same time na-inform iyong iba about sa law, lalo sa mga bagay bagay na akala nila eh simple or normal lang pero hindi at may penalty pala,” said Joram B. Sapao, one of the participants.
The activity ended with a Zumba session. GAD Director Estrellita M. Daclan expressed her gratitude to the speakers for sharing their knowledge and to the participants for actively joining the activities during the campaign.
BSU’s commitment to ending VAW aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality. This goal aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. //PJG