UP Students in Vow to End VAW

CEBU, Philippines - Women in history were only considered second class citizens. They were not allowed to take any social roles. Their sole responsibility is managing the household. Limitations were imposed upon the rights of women.

Eventually, women's movements began with the fight for the right to suffrage. And these movements came out to be victorious resulting to legislation of laws for the welfare of women. In the Philippines, there exist laws on anti-rape, anti sexual harassment, anti human-trafficking and the Magna-Carta for Women. Although these movements have garnered victories, and many women's organizations have emerged, there are still a lot to do to achieve gender equality said Prof. Kaira Alburo, professor of Social Science 5- Understanding Gender in the University of the Philippines Cebu.

Under the aforementioned course, students of Prof. Alburo from the four classes jump-started the celebration of the 100th International Women's day with "I Vow to End VAW or Violence Against Women" last March 8. It was a social awareness activity aimed at promoting awareness to people regarding the prevalence of cases centered to VAW, which does not limit to physical abuse but to other forms as well such as psychological, emotional and economic abuses mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Rights.

"It was a night of music, dance, fashion show, poetry reading, skit and candle lighting as it campaigned to end violence against women. And it was also a way of reminding women their worth," said Sheila Pacinio, the over-all director of the event and a Social Science 5 student. They did not only produce the activity but they showcased their talents as they performed different presentations to portray realities of the situation of women with the existence of VAW.

 When asked about why women should be co-equal to men, Prof. Alburo said, "That shouldn't even be a question." Instead, it should be, "why not?" She even added this question for everyone to ponder, "Shouldn't the fact that we are all human beings be enough (reason)?" And it seemed that both the men and women of Social Science 5 under Prof. Alburo have realized upon this question through their collective effort of making the event a success by producing and performing. As said by Sean Salvador, the class coordinator, "Men should take part of women empowerment for it is a way of showing no bias to a particular sex thus leading to genuine gender equality." Indeed, men and its judgment on women are vital on achieving gender equality, added Mark Pardico, one of the male performers.

Women empowerment is not just a boxed idea exclusive for women. At the end of the program everyone was called to action on "I Vow to End VAW (Violence Against Women) through a candle lighting activity, to encourage everyone to continue the fight and act upon eradicating if not lessening the statistics gathered by United Nations (UN) on its 2000 survey that there is at least one in three women beaten or sexually abused globally. (FREEMAN)