PRESIDENT Duterte wants to raise more public awareness on the issues and concerns confronting women to be able to address them accordingly.
The President, in his message on yesterday’s observance of the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, wished the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) success in its 18-Day campaign to end violence against women and children which kicked off on Monday.
Duterte said the implementation of the Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 had enabled government to pursue its campaign for a violence- free home as well as promote the greater empowerment and protection of women and children through programs led by the PCW.
He acknowledged, though, that government has to do more to protect the vulnerable sector of society.
“We can all raise greater public awareness on the issues faced by this sector so we may pursue other measures that will protect them from any form of harassment or discrimination. Let this important socio-political campaign further secure our gains as we continue to work together in building a more inclusive and progressive nation for generations to come,” he said.
Among the activities lined up by the PCW for its 18-Day program held from November 25 to December 12 are the 2019 Youth Forum on Violence against Women (VAW) at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the Anti-VAW Expo 2019 at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in Diliman in Quezon City, and the Cine Juana Digital Shorts Competition.
The President in the past had been criticized his treatment of women, like when he joked about being first in raping a foreign female missionary who was taken hostage during a jail riot in Davao City; when he catcalled a female reporter during a media briefing shortly after he was declared the winner of the 2016 elections; and when he bussed a married female Filipino worker on the lips during a foreign visit.
The President and Malacañang had emphasized that in these occasions, Duterte had not meant any disrespect for women.
