Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo (right) and Protective Services Bureau (PSB) Division Chief for Community-Based Jesusa Cabilao cut the ribbon for the launch of the photo exhibit at the DSWD Central Office that shows the different acts of violence against women.

Sec. Taguiwalo, together with a number of DSWD staff, views the pictures displayed on the photo gallery that show the different kinds of abuse against women.

In its continued support to the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched yesterday a photo gallery entitled “Tanikala: Mga Larawan ng Karahasan sa Kababaihan,” which shows the different kinds of violence that women around the world face.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo calls for vigilance to end VAW as she led the launch of the photo exhibit at the lobby of the DSWD Central Office during the Department’s flag-raising ceremony.

“We should take particular notice of the plight of women who have disabilities as they are vulnerable to more abuses, especially sexual abuse,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

“The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW highlights the fact that violence against women is a reality in the whole world. The history of the November 25 Anti-VAW Campaign is not actually gender-based violence. It was the day when the Mirabal sisters, political activists during the time of Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trojillo, were brutally murdered.

“The Anti-VAW Campaign is also a tribute to the lives and sacrifice of women who fought not only for their own rights, but for the human rights of their people,”  she added.

The photo gallery aims to increase the awareness of DSWD staff on the different kinds of abuses that women experience, and to encourage them to look for ways on how they themselves can commit to fight VAW in relation to this year’s campaign, “VAW-Free Community Starts with Me.”

The photos displayed in the exhibit came from Center for Women’s Resources, a non-stock, non-profit, non-governmental women’s service institution that provides research, education and training, advocacy and publications, library and data banking service for and about women.

Another highlight of the flag-raising ceremony included the performance of Gabriela Women’s Party singing group, Sining Lila, which rendered a series of songs  for the DSWD staff.

Other events related to the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW at the DSWD include a road show activity at Haven for Women in Tarlac and a forum on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health on December 9, and a culminating activity on December 12. #