In line with its commitment to pursue gender and development (GAD), the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) conducted a forum entitled “18 Days, 15 Years: Situationer on the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW in the Philippines” on 25 November 2021 via Cisco Webex.

The forum aimed to identify and assess, from a multisectoral perspective, the major developments that took place since the introduction of the campaign fifteen years ago.

The activity featured speakers from the private sector, civil society, academe, and security sector, namely: Ms Julia Andrea R Abad, Executive Director, Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment; Ms Liz Kollin, Program Officer, Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau; Ms Anna Myrishia R Villanueva, Guidance Counselor, Diliman Gender Office, University of the Philippines Diliman; and Col Rozelle B Salvosa PAF MNSA.

The speakers highlighted the challenges and opportunities in improving mechanisms to address violence against women. The speakers pointed out the need to involve different people and encourage an open discussion to share best practices and raise levels of awareness.

In his remarks, the NDCP President, Dr Archimedes H Viaje MNSA CESE, underscored that the advocacy to end violence against women and children does not end at the 15th year mark. He added that with the efforts of the entire nation, there would hopefully come a year when the campaign to end violence against women and children would not be necessary anymore because said violence will have already been eliminated.

NDCP officials, personnel, and staff, as well as stakeholders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of National Defense, and the general public attended the activity.