MANILA — In a bid to raise awareness of women in urban poor communities on various forms of harassment, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will hold an advocacy and information dissemination drive dubbed as “The Women’s Solidarity Caravan” at Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City on March 17.
DSWD Officer-In-Charge Emmanuel Leyco said the awareness campaign would also educate and teach women where to report cases of harassments.
“The caravan is also part of DSWD’s strong commitment to promote the rights and uphold the welfare of women,” Leyco said.
Around 100 women from the community are expected to take part in the activities which include an information drive on the different programs and services of the DSWD, and its partner agencies.
“Women should be active drivers in bringing about positive changes in society. They should also at the same time benefit from development efforts. This is why the Department’s programs and services like the Sustainable Livelihood Program endeavors to uplift the economic status of poor women and families,” Leyco added.
Leyco said that the activity would also include viewing of the film “Ang Kababaihan ng Malolos.”
He said that women who are victims of harassment and violence may report and request assistance from the Violence Against Women (VAW) desks in their respective barangays, the city or municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and the Women and Children’s Protection Desks found in police stations nationwide.
Aside from empowering the disadvantaged women in societies with its services, the agency also maintains two types of women’s welfare programs: community-based and center-based.
Community-based programs and services are preventive, rehabilitative, developmental programs and initiatives that mobilize the family and community to respond to issues or concerns of women who are in need or at risk.
Preventive programs refer to those that promote protective and developmental services for women.
Treatment and recovery include programs that provide diagnostic evaluation and planning services for emotionally disturbed or abused women.
A total of 381,908 women availed of community-based and center-based programs and services from January to December 2017.
Of this number, 380,230 women availed of community-based programs while 718 women in especially difficult circumstances were provided assistance. (Leilani Junio/PNA)
