DOT promotes awareness for VAWC

THE Regional Tourism Department is leading a program promoting public awareness on Violence against Women and Children [VAWC]

including trafficking. DOT-Car Regional Director Marie Venus Tan explained the advocacy and hopes to convey the tourism department with its stakeholders in the tourism industry are partnering for achieving a VAWC free community through safe and non-exploitative tourism activities.

"This effort spearheaded by the DOT-Car wishes to prevent any violence to be committed against women in general, and the children in particular in the various tourism destinations in the region who are the most vulnerable victims", Tan said.

VAWC cases in the Cordillera was listed at 1,065 in 2016.

The awareness campaign is in line with the November 25 declaration of the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children under R.A. No. 10398.

The Director said a need to in intensify the tourism department’s campaign on the elimination of trafficking and violence against women and their children by coordinating with various agencies of government and the tourism industry in the region.

"Guidelines on the establishment and management of the referral system on violence against women at the local government unit, which was set by the Philippine Commission on Women, will be adopted", the Director said.

The program also supports the Anti-Trafficking in persons Act and Republic Act 9262 or the AntiViolence Against women and their Children Act.