To continuously advocate for women’s rights and safety in the country, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) joined in the observance of the 2023 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with the 2022-2027 recurring campaign theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines” on November 25 to December 12, 2023.

As part of the campaign, the PFDA – Gender and Development Focal Point System (PFDA-GFPS) revisited the amendments and provided the PFDA – Central Office employees with updated information on laws protecting women and girls by conducting on December 4, 2023.

To open the program, PFDA-GFPS Overall Technical Working Group (TWG) Head and Public Information Division Chief Mr. Mc Christian Julius A. Macaranas II says he is looking forward to a time in the future where there is no need to organize a campaign to end VAW because there will be no more violence against anyone anymore. 

“Sana ay dumating ang pagkakataon na ang lahat ng tao ay mulat na at hindi na kailangang ipaalala pa na ang respeto, hindi lang sa mga kababaihan kundi maging sa lahat ng tao sa mundo, ay napakahalaga,” Mr. Macaranas said. 

Atty. Fatima Dennise D. Briones-Mejica of the PFDA – Office of the General Manager and Atty. Karla Isabel A. Torres of the PFDA – Legal Division presented four issuances relevant to the campaign. They discussed the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (RA 7877), Anti-Rape Law (RA 8353 as amended by RA 11648), Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 (RA 9262), and Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) also known as the Bawal Bastos Law.

Later, the PFDA-GFPS distributed flyers to increase the level of awareness and knowledge of PFDA employees on VAW. 

(Mark Angelo N. Perez - Public Information Division)