Pasay City, 25 November 2024 – The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and SM Cares, SM Supermalls’ corporate social responsibility arm, jointly led the ceremonial lighting of the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) globe, marking the start of the Philippines’ observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December.

This year’s campaign theme, “VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras!” (End VAW, Now is the Time!), calls for urgent actions and accelerated efforts to end violence against women.

"Since the Philippines joined this global campaign in 2002, it has evolved into a powerful platform for raising awareness about the widespread prevalence of VAW. The campaign has played a pivotal role in advocating for the passage of landmark laws, such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) in 2003 and the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262) in 2004. Over the years, it has also been instrumental in promoting other key legislation aimed at protecting women, such as the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313),” said Ms Ermelita Valdeavilla, PCW Chairperson. She further highlighted that the campaign continued to promote advocacy across all genders, spark important conversations about this urgent social issue, inspire collective action toward the eradication of VAW, and serve as a critical force in empowering individuals and communities to stand up against violence and injustice.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) records show that there was a 10% increase in the number of reported cases of violence against women in the country from 2022 to the end of 2023 (from 12,524 to 13,745). The figure was bigger the year prior – 14,137 in 2021 – during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting how socioeconomic impacts of emergencies could potentially increase the risk of women and girls being subjected to violence.

“While tonight’s lighting ceremony beautifully symbolizes our solidarity in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV), we know that the plight of the survivors is not as colourful and vibrant. The numbers continue to be alarming. Though progress has been made in the Philippines – with strengthened legislation and increased partner engagement – much work remains. Now is the time to scale up our efforts,” Dr Leila Joudane, Country Representative, UNFPA Philippines, remarked. She further emphasized the urgent need to strengthen prevention efforts, enhance comprehensive support services for survivors, and collaborate with key influencers to challenge the deeply rooted social norms that perpetuate GBV. “The National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women (NAP-EVAW), supported by UNFPA, will serve as a crucial framework for coordinated efforts to effectively address GBV,” she added.

This year’s campaign will also be an opportunity to mainstream and enhance the public’s awareness of the Safe Spaces Act, the legislative framework covering gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) in various settings, including public spaces, workplaces, schools and the online space. 

SM Cares, UNFPA and PCW’s main corporate partner in the campaign, strongly commits to championing this cause by ensuring it is effectively realized in all its businesses. “Our malls are all-inclusive and safe spaces, where everyone is welcome. There is no place for violence against women and their children,” Atty Pearly Joan Turley, Senior Assistant Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Program Director for SM Cares, highlighted.

The Philippines’ 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women is in line with the global campaign, UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women (UNiTE). Similar to the country’s focus this year, the 2024 global campaign also pushes for increased efforts in implementing comprehensive strategies to end impunity and prevent violence against women and girls, including by expanding and bolstering partnerships, allocating necessary program budgets, and actively reporting on progress.

The United Nations launched UNiTE in 2008 in support of the civil society-led initiative, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which started as early as 1991. Even prior to the launch of UNiTE, the Philippines had already been carrying out the campaign for 18 days, instead of just 16 days, for the conclusion to annually fall on 12 December – the anniversary of the signing of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women, and Children, which was a supplement to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crimes.

As the Philippine campaign is kicked off by the SM MOA globe lighting ceremony, as well as the simultaneous playing of advocacy videos in many other SM malls nationwide, more key activities to advance this cause are lined up. These include, among others, the official launch of the NAP-EVAW and a multisectoral forum to push for a survivor-centered GBV data management system in the country.

Local government units, as well as various organizations across the country, are also expected to organize their respective activities to support this annual campaign.

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Watch the recap here: https://unf.pa/3CM4Kp1