Chongqing PCG Conducts VAW Forum
08 December 2018 - The Philippine Consulate General in Chongqing conducts a Forum on Violence Against Women (VAW) on 08 December 2018 at the World Financial Center Meeting Room in connection with the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women from 25 November 2018 to 12 December 2018. The event was facilitated by Post’s personnel and attended by members of the Filipino community in Chongqing as well as dependents of Post’s personnel.
The Forum was opened by Ms. Emelyn M. Cosino, alternate GAD focal person, who welcomed all the participants and introduced the purpose of the event. She likewise informed the participants of the flow of the forum.
Consul General Crescente R. Relacion discussed the concept and different forms of VAW. He also presented videos sourced from the Philippine Commission on Women on the different types of VAW in different types of environment as springboard for discussions. Thereafter, Vice Consul Adrian G. Miras discussed the salient points of the different laws in the Philippines addressing VAW. These laws include the Anti-Child Abuse Act (RA 7610), Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877), Anti-Rape Law (RA 8353), Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208, as amended), Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (RA 9262), Anti-Child Pornography Act (RA 9775), Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act (RA 9995), and relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
An open forum followed after the discussions of the aforementioned topics. Some of the participants remarked that they were not aware that certain acts were already considered violence against women as they were commonplace. The participants likewise openly discussed issues on trafficking in persons and sought Post’s advice on the steps to take when they encounter Filipinos who were either trafficked or are overstaying in Mainland China. The questions were answered by Consul General Relacion, Vice Consul Miras, and ATN Officer Anna Edrisse S. Magsumbol. The participants also pitched in their ideas on how to curb VAW and trafficking.
After the open forum, Ms. Marietta M. Enriquez-Magno, GAD Focal Person, in her closing remarks, reminded the participants of their role in ending VAW and in making the world a safe place for women and their children.
When asked for their feedback, the participants were mostly very satisfied with the event and that it helped improve their knowledge on the subject. They further suggested future topics for fora, such as recruitment, financial literacy, and family laws. END