MANILA – In a symbolic act of commitment to end gender-based violence (GBV), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and SM Cares joined forces on Friday evening to kick off the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women with an SM Mall of Asia (MOA)  globe lighting ceremony.

As the iconic SM MOA globe turned radiant orange and for one hour played a video calling for people to “Unite to End Violence Against Women,” several other SM malls played the video on their outdoor and indoor LED displays – including SM Megamall, SM MOA Arena, SM Mall of Asia Arena Annex (MAAX) Eye, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Clark, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, and SM Sto. Tomas.

This synchronized display of solidarity marked the eve of the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW),” a campaign that runs from November 25 to December 12 in the Philippines. The 18-Day campaign video, which includes a call to action against gender-based violence, will be included in the rotating digital assets of the LED displays and the mall digital directories of participating SM malls until December 12.

“Every woman and girl, regardless of their background or identity, has the inherent right to live free from violence and to make decisions about their own body and life. However, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a widespread issue, robbing women and girls of their autonomy, dignity, and potential, and in some cases, even their lives,” said Dr. Leila Joudane, UNFPA Philippines Country Representative.

Joudane said the partnership with SM was a great way to raise the awareness of Filipinos about the problem of and solutions to gender-based violence, which affects 1 in 3 women and girls worldwide. "Investing in prevention strategies, including education, empowerment, and community engagement, is crucial to break the cycle of violence and create a safer world for all women and girls,” she added.

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Based on the 2022 Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 18% of Filipino women who had a husband/intimate partner report having experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence by their most recent intimate partner. But of the women who experienced gender-based violence, 2 out of 5 did not seek help.

PCW Executive Director Atty. Kristine E. Yuzon-Chaves emphasized the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to address VAWG. "The 18-day Campaign serves as a reminder that Violence Against Women is a universal concern hence, we must all work together – government agencies, non-governmental organizations, educational and training institutions, private companies, law enforcement agencies, media institutions, legislators, local government units and barangays, the general public, and our partners from the international community – because it is only through our united efforts and concrete actions can we help prevent and end this phenomenon,” she stated.

“This lighting event supports the ‘Orange Your Icon’ initiative, which aims to strengthen the anti-VAW advocacy and spark the public’s curiosity by urging stakeholders nationwide to color their major landmarks or iconic spots orange during the campaign period. The color orange is in accordance with the UN Secretary General’s choice for the UNiTE to End VAW Campaign and is used to represent hope and a future free from violence for all women and girls. By participating in this initiative, private companies like SM are declaring their support to the advocacy,” Yuzon-Chaves added.

SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, supports the 18-day campaign as part of their continued contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

"SM Supermalls is dedicated to fostering safe and empowering spaces for women within our malls. We believe in creating an environment where every woman feels not only secure but also inspired to thrive. Together with our partners, we support the 18-day violence against women campaign.  We are committed to championing women's empowerment and ensuring that our malls stand as beacons of safety, equality, and opportunity for all," said Mr. Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls.

As part of SM Cares Advocacy for Women, SM conducted the first nationwide orientation on Safe Spaces Act. Aimed to educate mall operations and frontliners on preventing gender-based sexual harassment extending to foster a safe environment both within and beyond SM malls.

The organizations encouraged other groups to support the 18-Day campaign by posting about the issue and using the color orange as a symbol of their commitment to invest in addressing gender-based violence.

"This annual 18-Day campaign is a powerful platform for raising awareness, mobilizing action, and advocating for change. Together, we can create a society where women and girls are respected, valued, and protected from violence,” Joudane said.

About 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence is an international civil society-led campaign that commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year, the 16 Days campaign theme is Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls. It calls upon United Nations networks, civil society, organizations and institutions to step up and support different prevention strategies to stop violence from occurring in the first place.

In the Philippines, the 16 Days of Activism is extended to 18 Days until December 12, a historic date that marked the signing of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, in 2000. The Philippine government’s recurring theme from 2022 to 2027 is “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines.” 

For more information contact:

Kristine Sabillo Guerrero | Media and Communications Analyst | UNFPA Philippines
kguerrero@unfpa.org 

Nevi Calma | Information Officer | Philippine Commission on Women
media@pcw.gov.ph