PIA Press Release
2010/03/27
DSWD Organizes "Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere"
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (27 March) -- In line with the celebration of Women's Month, the male employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR) formed last week their organization dubbed Men Opposed to Violence Against Women (MOVE).
DSWD-CAR MOVE chapter president Ferdinand Caramto stressed that in support to their department's advocacy for women's right and the celebration of Women's Month this March, all their 40 male employees formed the MOVE organization, which is the third agency in the region to do so.
MOVE is an organization initiated by the National Commission on the Rights of Filipino Women (NCRFW) in 2006, which is composed of principled men, from various organizations, including the government, private sector, academe and NGOs, whose members have dedicated themselves, to be actively involved in eliminating all forms of discrimination against women, particularly, Violence Against Women (VAWC).
According to Caramto, MOVE shall encourage men to commit themselves to be actively involved in the elimination of VAW, as well as not to commit, nor condone nor be silent in the face of VAW. Thus, Caramto, in behalf of their members, also encourages all men, married or unmarried, from other government/private agencies and LGUs, to organize their MOVE, so as together with women, would work hand in hand in the advocacy to eliminate violence against women.
The DSWD-CAR had been an active advocate of women's right, as they had been joining women's month activities in the city and had been conducting seminars on women's rights law, including the newly enacted Magna Carta for Women, aside from their regular commitment of monitoring the implementation of women's rights law.
DSWD Regional Training Officer Rogerson Dennis Fernandez also stressed that other poverty alleviation programs were also aligned to promote women's health, development and empowerment. Based on the National Statistics Office (NSO) data there are more VAW cases found in areas with high poverty incidence.
According to Fernandez the DSWD's Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS), which ended in 2009, have spent about P128 Million in the region, funding 242 sub-projects in 143 different barangays, which includes health and day care centers and capacity building training for women.
Moreover, Fernandez said that DSWD is also set to pilot new KALAHI-CIDSS program, maybe after the May 2010 election in Besao Mountain province and later on will also be expanded to other areas, aside from the previously identified KALAHI-CIDSS areas. If the said World Bank funded project will push thru, the package will increase at P450,000 per barangay compared to the previous P300,000.
As for the DSWD's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which promotes women's health aside from education and nutrition assistance to their children, the program is now being expanded to different areas nationwide thus giving assistance to more beneficiaries. In the Cordillera region, the 4Ps program is now expanded to some municipalities in Benguet and Ifugao. (PIA) [top]
