25 November 2019, Calgary – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary launched the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) on 23 November 2019 at the PCG premises as part of the PCG’s Gender and Development program and to support the Philippine-wide campaign to end VAW. The launch was held during the Kapihan sa Konsulado hosted by Consul General Zaldy Patron for the leaders of the Filipino community in Alberta.

 

The 18-Day Campaign adopts the theme “VAW-free community starts with Me,” which presents an ideal picture of a VAW-free community and calls on everyone to contribute in ending VAW. The campaign inspires the general public to make a personal commitment to end violence against women and children. Likewise, it highlights the need for primary prevention to reduce incidents of VAW across the Philippines, which can be achieved by empowering individuals to know and claim their rights and by educating them on where to seek help in cases of violence.

 

PHOTOS: On 25 November 2019, Consul General Zaldy Patron leads Calgary PCG in reciting what government employees can do to become staunch advocates against violence against women and children.

 

One of the highlights of the launch was the recitation of the commitment to end VAW. Mrs. Dolly Castillo of the Babae: Council of Filipina-Canadian Women led the recitation for the women while Mr. Clem Tigley of the Philippine Cultural Center Foundation took the lead for the men.

 

Consul General Patron explained that Filipino women victims of violence could report their situation to the local police, the PCG or concerned government agencies in Alberta and Saskatchewan. They can also approach not-for-profit organizations in the two provinces offering various social services for victims of violence. He encouraged the participants to do their part in enhancing awareness

 

 

PHOTO: Calgary PCG Clients smile as they receive and wear their free End-VAW campaign buttons after they sign up to receive more information materials about the campaign, 25 November 2019.

 

Following the early launch on 23 November, the PCG held a brief ceremony on 25 November 2019 at the PCG’s consular area marking the official start of the campaign, which will run until 12 December 2019. The PCG officers and staff, as government employees, recited their own commitment to end VAW.

 

Some clients of the PCG were given End VAW buttons as part of the awareness campaign. The Philippine Commission on Women’s short films from the series VAW: The Unspoken Words will also be shown at the PCG consular waiting area to educate the consular applicants about the campaign.

 

The PCG advises Filipino women in Alberta and Saskatchewan who are victims of violence to call 911 if they are on immediate danger. They may also contact any of the following to seek various forms of assistance:

 

·         Alberta Government’s Family Violence Info Line at tel. no. 310-1818.

·         Family Service Saskatoon Inc. at tel. no. 1-888-338-0880

·         Family Service Regina Inc. at tel. no.  306-757-6675

·         Philippine Consulate General’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Unit at mobile no.: 587-577-1524 or email address calgarypcg.atn@gmail.com.