5 March 2020, Calgary – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary joined the Philippines’ 2020 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) by creating public awareness about the event. 

 

On 2 March, the first working day of the month, the PCG started displaying 2020 NWMC streamers and posters at the PCG premises. The PCG also uploaded the same information materials in its Facebook page to support the online anti-sexual harassment advocacies.

 

Likewise, the PCG personnel held their own Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to make themselves more familiar with the provisions of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act and the Safe Spaces Act. They also discussed the functions of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI), which is created in each Philippine government agency to investigate cases of sexual harassment.  Vice Consul LV de Guzman, who is also the PCG’s GAD Focal Person, facilitated the FGD.

 

 Consul General Zaldy Patron (standing, 5^th from right), Consul Pamela Durian-Bailon (standing, 4th from right) and Vice Consul LV de Guzman (standing,5^th  from left) with Calgary PCG personnel after the conduct of the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, the Committee on Decorum and Investigation and the Safe Spaces Act at the PCG Consular Area on 2 March 2020. The FGD was conducted as part of the PCG’s 2020 National Women’s Month Celebration.

The PCG pursued these activities as part of its Gender and Development (GAD) program. They are also meant to inform both the private and public stakeholders regarding the Philippine government’s programs, services and procedures to protect the rights of the victims of sexual harassment.

 

The Philippines’ NWMC every March is part of the worldwide observance of the International Women’s Day.