Davao women push for full operation of VAWC desks

By Carina L. Cayon

DAVAO CITY, Mar. 7 (PIA) –Davao’s women leaders and gender advocates have pushed for the creation and assurance for the full operation of the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desks or offices at the barangay level.

In a resolution presented to the recently-held 13th Citywide Women Summit, the women called on the local government to further strengthen the efforts of institutionalizing VAWC desk in every barangay in the city. 

The resolution also asked for the provision of counseling services in the VAWC desk for the victims/survivors and doers of violence, as well as shelter for victims/survivors who suffer mental depression.

The call was among the several other concerns of women from the communities integrated in the 2012 Women Summit Resolutions which were endorsed to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio through a representative during the Women Summit held on March 1, this city.

In her acceptance of the resolutions and message of commitments through City Social Services and Development Office chief Maria Luisa Bermudo, the mayor acknowledged that VAWC is a major social concern.

“The City Government is one with you in meeting these (resolutions), but we also need your support for our programs for women to be successful,” Duterte-Carpio stated.

She said that based on the report of the city government’s Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD), 50 barangays in the city have already created their VAWC desks.

She urged the women to help push for the creation of their VAWC desks in their areas if they are not yet in place.

The mayor stated that reduction of VAWC cases is one of the indicators for good governance set by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Duterte-Carpio also cited the free legal assistance for VAWC concerns through the legal counsel at the IGDD, and the Sidlakan Women Crises Center managed by the CSSDO for the victims of domestic violence.

In support for the full implementation of laws protecting women and children against violence, the city government has enjoined all its 182 barangay units to create their respective VAWC desks.

IGDD executive director Lorna Mandin said that the LGU is strengthening its program in facilitating the full implementation of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.

Mandin said that both laws mandate each barangay to create its VAWC desk that will be established in the barangay hall to give appropriate assistance and referrals to abused women and children.

IGDD spearheaded the 13th Citywide Women Summit on March 1 at Grand Men Seng Hotel, as a kick-off to the 102nd International Women’s Day celebration.

The summit was participated in by around 500 women leaders from the local and national government units, Barangay Council for Women, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, academe and the private sector. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)