Dagupan hotline for VAWC launched
ON WOMEN’S MONTH
IN observance of the International Women’s Month, the Dagupan Cty government launched Hotline VAWC (Violence against Women and Children).
The hotline number to call or report any incidence of violence against women and children is 0947-508-8888.
Mayor Belen T. Fernandez said the launching of the hotline underscores the respect and responsibility of the city government to protect women’s rights and against violence.
The hotline number was made public during the Women’s Summit at CSI the City Mall Big Atrium in observance of the 2015 National Women’s Month that had the theme “Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!”
Fernandez was joined by Riza Hontiveros, Akbayan Party chairperson and PhilHealth director of the Health Care Providers Sector, and Cathryne Jonne T. Licudine-Dalen, Assistant Secretary, Presidential Communications Operations Office.
Gender and Development Focal Person Marrien Mejia said the hotline will provide women who are victims of different forms of abuses including rape access to protection and legal service.
“With the VAWC hotline, we can reach out to women and children who need counseling, legal advice, a free check-up if there is a need for it. All that they have to do is text or call us, identify their issues and then we will validate their concerns and give them our assistance,” Mejia said.
Hontiveros encouraged the “Juanas” of Dagupan to make the 2015 theme happen by being are more active in leadership and decision-making.
Fernandez, in response, hailed the women who have taken active roles in governance, namely City Councilor Maybelyn Fernandez, City Administrator Farah Decano, City Nutrition and CSWD Officer Leah Aquino, City Engineer Virginia Rosario, City Budget Officer Luz De Guzman, City Accountant Teresita Manaois, City Treasurer Romelita Alcantara, City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina, City Civil Registry Officer Digna Liwanag, City Librarian Rufina Meneses and Public Employment and Service Office Manager Joy Siapno.
Fernandez added that more than half of the entire workforce in the city hall are women, the barangay volunteers are all women, and the city mayor is a woman.
“There is a growing presence of potential women leaders in our city. This only proves that women in Dagupan are now actively participating in politics, decision-making and policy-making processes in government,” Fernandez said.
She said that many women have become victims of violence because they are “financially disempowered”.
“Financial empowerment is the key to free women from the ills of domestic issues. Once a woman earns she becomes a better person,” Fernandez said. (CIO)
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