IGDD head Lorna Mandin (center) during the Kapehan sa Dabaw forum
DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The Davao City government has intensified its campaign against violence against women (VAW) by actively engaging men and boys, aiming to empower them as champions of women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Lorna Mandin, head of the city’s Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD), emphasized the shift in focus towards educating men and boys during a recent Kapehan sa Dabaw forum.
“We’ve realized the importance of educating our boys and men in various settings, including media, corporations, and schools,” Mandin explained. “Once men become advocates, they can become powerful champions of gender equality and women’s empowerment.”
Mandin highlighted that while most VAW perpetrators are male, engaging men and boys is crucial in promoting behavioral change and eliminating disrespectful behaviors towards women and girls, such as “green jokes,” catcalling, and other forms of harassment.
“This issue is often rooted in cultural norms that normalize disrespect,” Mandin said. “Involving men and boys is a key strategy to address this.”
She added, “It’s essential to make these behaviors unacceptable, starting with things like ‘green jokes’ and catcalling.”
The IGDD, in partnership with the Schools Division Office of Davao City and a non-government organization, has successfully integrated VAW modules into the curriculum of public schools, from grade 4 to junior high school.
“We’ve integrated VAW concepts into various subjects across different grade levels,” Mandin shared.
The city government has also strengthened its information campaign to make information more accessible to the public. Mandin believes this increased accessibility has contributed to the rise in reported cases of gender-based violence in recent years.
“More people are reporting because services are available, and we believe that information is being disseminated effectively,” Mandin explained.
In 2023, the city recorded 2,707 VAW cases, a significant increase from 1,864 cases in 2022. (clc/PIA XI)
