DA-WV GAD Program strengthens advocacy through RA 9262 seminar

Supporting the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children (E-VAWC), the Department of Agriculture Western Visayas (DA-WV) Gender and Development (GAD) Program hosted a seminar on Republic Act 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, on November 29, 2024. The event, held at the DA-WV WESVIARC Gym, brought together over 50 selected employees and members of the GAD Focal Point System, aiming to enhance awareness, education, and advocacy against violence.

The seminar sought to amplify collective support for the E-VAWC campaign; raise awareness about the prevalence of violence and the campaign’s importance; empower participants to take action against violence in homes, workplaces, and communities; educate attendees on the rights and protections offered under RA 9262 to prevent violence and assist survivors.

Hon. Mia Laine Catalan-Dabao, Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court Branch 1 and a prominent advocate against violence against women and children (VAWC), served as the guest lecturer. She highlighted the strong legal framework of RA 9262, which defines VAWC as encompassing physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse perpetrated by intimate partners. “This law empowers women to seek justice and protection from their abusers,” she stated.

Catalan-Dabao engaged participants in an interactive discussion, addressing questions on the implementation of RA 9262 and its applicability in both personal and professional contexts. A help desk was also available during the seminar to provide confidential consultations for employees seeking guidance on violence-related concerns.

RTD Zarlina B. Cuello, DA-WV’s GAD Focal Person, emphasized the agency’s evolving approach to the E-VAWC campaign. “In previous years, our support was largely symbolic, limited to hanging tarpaulins. This year, we recognize that in the agriculture sector, both employees and farmers are vulnerable to various forms of violence. By equipping our staff with knowledge of RA 9262, we empower them to guide clients who may be experiencing violence,” she explained.

Cuello also stressed that DA-WV’s commitment to food security goes beyond agricultural productivity to encompass the well-being of its employees and stakeholders. “We aim to ensure that those working in the fields—and often facing inquiries about violence experienced by farmers—are equipped with the guiding principles and concepts of RA 9262,” she added.### (DA-RAFIS 6)