With the theme, “VAW-free community starts with me,” the Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) joined the kick-off of the 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW) which started yesterday, November 25 to December 12.

In a 2-minute video presentation posted on the ASCOT Official Facebook Page, the College’s officials, faculty members, and staff from different academic departments and administrative units showed their support to the said activity while wearing an orange-colored shirt and saying the line, “Wakasan ang Karahasan!” stating their strong condemnation against violence, especially to women and children.

Each department and unit also showed their support, particularly in social media, having group photos wearing their orange-colored shirts while doing the end-VAW pose.

According to the College’s Gender and Development (GAD) office, the College’s unit responsible for gender empowerment and for organizing the said activity, there are upcoming webinars in December that will discuss the Safe Spaces Act or the “Bawal ang Bastos Law” and other relevant talks about gender equality and empowerment especially that giving orientation about the said law is one of the highlights of this year’s end-VAWC celebration.

According to the Philippine Commission on Women, in 2016, the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women (IACVAWC) adopted the theme “VAW-free community starts with Me” for the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW. The Council also agreed that the said theme should be used every year from 2016 to 2021. The theme elevates the campaign to positive advocacy. It urges everyone to pursue the common vision of a community free from violence against women and girls and highlights what can be done to achieve such.

Photo Courtesy: ASCOT-GAD Facebook Page