Manila, Philippines – 25 November 2022 – To commemorate this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and kick off the 16 days campaign to end violence against women, UNFPA Philippines organized a solidarity march with the resident coordinator, all UNCT members, UN staff, members of the international community and women organizations as well as government representatives.

With this year’s theme being “United for a VAW-Free Philippines”, the march aims to call for change and movement among individuals and stakeholders, for each and everyone to do their part in ending gender-based violence and systemic violence against women and children.

Advocates and march goers gathered at the UN House, then marched towards the Greenfield Central Park for a quick program—where messages of solidarity from various partners, awarding of Outstanding Women Champions and the Symbolic Handprint Painting Ceremony took place to promote the more than two-week long campaign.

Globally, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day; in the Philippines, the campaign extends to 12 December 2022, a historic date that marked the signing in the year 2000 of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons.

The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW supports the Philippine government's goal of protecting the human rights of women and girls by upholding its commitment to address all forms of gender-based violence. UNFPA Philippines in participation of several UN agencies, government agencies, and other key partners are organizing the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, to inspire action from the government and the public, including men and boys— to realize that everyone has a role to play in eliminating VAW.

For media inquiries, please contact:  

Denvie Balidoy , Communications and Media Analyst 
balidoy@unfpa.org