Calgary, 9 March 2024 - The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary has joined the Philippines’ 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration this March 2024.

The observance started with the PCG’s officers and staff wearing purple on 8 March 2024 to mark the International Women’s Day.

Every Friday throughout March, all PCG personnel will continue donning a purple article of clothing to symbolize solidarity with women's empowerment and gender equality. This National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) #PurpleFriday T-shirt project is a tribute to women and their impactful contributions to society.

On the same day, Consul General Zaldy B. Patron led the opening of the PCG’s Crisis Counseling and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Room, its first Safe Space in the office, which will be used for intake interviews of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) survivors and distressed ATN clients needing privacy during the interview process.

“We are pleased to offer this Safe Space in our office to allow our VAWC clients, especially women and children, to tell their stories with dignity and privacy when we interview them,” said Consul General Patron.

“This Crisis Counseling Room will also be used for videoconference hearing of clients who need more privacy due to the sensitive nature of their cases,” Consul General Patron added.

Likewise, Consul General Patron highlighted that 8 March 2004 also marks the twentieth year of the passage of Republic Act 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act. A landmark legislation in the Philippines, it aims to address and prevent domestic violence against women and children.

“Through this Safe Space and our crisis counseling and ATN services, the PCG hopes to contribute to the safeguarding of the rights and well-being of women and children who come to us for assistance,” Consul General Patron concluded.

Since its relocation to its bigger office in May 2021, the PCG has installed gender-responsive facilities, such as the diaper-changing areas inside its universal washrooms and the Lactation Room and Child-Friendly Space for breastfeeding clients and clients with small children.

Early this year, the PCG began providing feminine hygiene products for consular clients with sudden reproductive health emergencies.