The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) campus has been dotted with orange ribbons beginning Monday, November 28 as the University joins the nationwide campaign to end violence against women and girls (VAW).
Spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women, the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW seeks to reinforce laws that uphold the human rights of women and put an end to gender-based violence.
The campaign runs from November 25 until December 12, and commenced on Monday with a opening ceremony and a commitment wall to โvow to fight VAW.โ
PLM President Emmanuel Leyco led the signing of pledges, followed by both male and female members of the faculty, staff, and student body.
โPLM has been and continues to be a safe space for women. We join the national campaign against VAW to raise awareness among Filipinos that violence towards women, or any gender-based attacks, have no place in modern society,โ President Leyco said.
โWe strive for a Philippines and a world where all individuals are treated with dignity regardless of sex, gender identity, or socioeconomic status. Ensuring that each person receives quality education is one of the effective ways to do it,โ he added.
Participants of the morning ceremony also joined the communal dancing of โOne Billion Risingโ led by the PLM Dancers and Gabriela Dancers at the University Activity Center.
Gabriela chairperson Ms. Gertrudes Libang also discussed the "I vow to fight VAW" campaign, with an emphasis on the rights of women and the youth for equal opportunities in schools and workplaces.
Members of the PLM community are encouraged to don accessories with a touch of orange to symbolize their solidarity with the campaign.
Additional resources on human rights and gender equality are available at the Liliosa Hilao Gender and Development Center at the University Library.
