SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — The Provincial Gender and Development Inter-Agency Committee called for the functionality of the Violence Against Women and their Children Desk (VAWC) at the barangay level.
Provincial GAD coordinator Prisceli Joyce J. Galuego emphasized the vital role of the VAWC desk as a frontline support system for the victims.
Thus, designated officers should be trained in handling VAWC cases at the barangay level.
Republic Act 9710, also known as the Magna Carta of Women, mandates the establishment of Violence Against Women (VAW) Desks in every barangay signed into law on August 14, 2009.
Galuego, during the PIA-Antique program, “Pagpaathag,” at Radyo Natin San Jose shared some initiatives of the provincial government in implementing the GAD program.
The province has been awarded with Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for the past years and with the recognition was its full compliance with GAD indicators.
She noted that the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (0PPDC) through the provincial inter-agency committee on GAD has a mechanism to ensure programs and activities are compliant with the government circular mandating a five percent allocation of GAD budget.
She cited the initiative of the Provincial Population Office, Social Welfare and Development, and the Health Office which dealt with awareness building of families on gender sensitivity and women empowerment.
The province has been organizing KATROPA (Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya), ERPAT (Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities), KALIPI (Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina) and other organizations aimed at raising community awareness on responsible parenting, women empowerment, and gender sensitivity.
She added that the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital has established the Women and Children Protection Unit where victims of abuse are taken care of.
In celebration of Women’s Month, GAD-IAC has launched the activity with a program at the EBJ Freedom Park on March 3 featuring a One Billion Rising Dance Campaign to end VAW, while a culmination program is scheduled on March 25 in Bugasong, Antique with a caravan of services for women.(AGP/PSM/PIA Antique with reports from JYD/UA Intern)
