Photo 1 (Upper left): DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo gives a speech and raises her arm in support of the One BIllion Rising’s call to end women abuse and exploitation.
Photo 2 (Upper right): Participants consisting of different women’s group, students, and employees from concerned national government agencies (NGAs) dance the One Billion Rising dance.
Photo 3: A social worker interviews a client during the conduct of the DSWD’s information caravan at the One Billion Rising culminating activity.

To increase awareness on the programs and services it provides to Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances (WEDCs), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) brought its Information Caravan to the One Billion Rising Revolution culminating event yesterday at Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila.

The One Billion Rising Revolution is the biggest global mass action to end violence against women in human history. The 2017 campaign, with the theme “Solidarity Against Exploitation of Women,” was launched in September 2016. The campaign’s series of protest actions ended yesterday through a huge gathering of different women’s groups, students, faith-based organizations (FBOs), and representatives from concerned national government agencies (NGAs), including the DSWD.

A group of information officers and social workers from the Department set up a booth and distributed information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to the participants and people within the vicinity. They also answered queries on the women’s welfare program of the Department and how women can avail of these services.

According to DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, the Department fully supports the fight to end women abuse and exploitation. She also said that it is important to educate abused women, especially the poor, that the DSWD has programs and services to help them.

“The DSWD has rehabilitative and protective programs and services to help women who have been victims of abuse,” she said.

“For women, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for help, as the Department and the government are ready to help you start anew and bounce back to your normal lives,” she emphasized.

Addressing the crowd during the One Billion Rising activity, the welfare chief said,” Ang DSWD ay nakikiisa sa One Billion Rising! Labanan ang karahasan sa kababaihan! Kaisa ng kalalakihan, babangon ang kababaihang Pilipino para baguhin ang lipunan at para magkaroon ng kapayapaang nakabatay sa katarungan (The DSWD is one with One Billion Rising! Fight violence against women! Together with men, the Filipino women will rise to change the society and achieve peace that is based on justice!”

The DSWD’s information caravan aims to increase the awareness of poor Filipinos, including women, of the programs and services that the Department provides. The activity is conducted regularly in different urban poor communities. ###