Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), through its Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS), launched the “Ano ang Suot ko?” Art Exhibit as part of the GAD 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) on November 28, 2022.

The art exhibit is inspired by the first exhibition based on survivor accounts collected by Ms. Jen Brockman and Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert from the University of Arkansas in 2013 which was accompanied by a spoken word piece of the same title based on the poem "What I Was Wearing" by Mary Simmerling.

The art exhibit aims to raise public awareness about the question “Ano ang suot mo?” that condemns the victims of all kinds of gender-based abuse and neglects the perpetrators.

To formally open the exhibit, PFDA-GFPS Assistant Head Ms. Mary Ann D. Daquer welcomed everyone who participated in today’s launch. Ms. Daquer said that this campaign supports the government’s goal of protecting the human rights of women and girls by upholding its commitment to address all forms of gender-based violence.

“Naniniwala ako na lahat tayo ay boses at lahat tayo ay may pwedeng gawin to end violence against women… Maging makabuluhan nawa ang exhibit na ito hindi lang para sa mga kababaihan kundi para sa lahat regardless of gender and sexuality… We thank you for your support and commitment for this GAD activity. Let’s commit to be a VAW-free PFDA,” Ms. Daquer said.

During the exhibit, Mr. Miguel M. Pilarta, Head of the Sub-Committee on Advocacy, Linkages, and Capacity Building presented the launch of the “Ano ang Suot Ko?” spoken poetry that was produced by the Public Information Division starring Ms. Ma. Arlyn E. Andagao of the Corporate Planning and MIS Department.

After, PFDA Central Office staff and personnel wrote down their commitments and contributions to having a VAW-free workplace and community.

The exhibition will be open to the public until December 12, 2022.

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division)