Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies Gender and Development Committee led the Institute’s line up of activities for the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) which runs from November 25 to December 12, 2021.

The overall goal of the 2021 campaign is to raise public awareness on the Republic Act 11313 or Safe Spaces Act. All government agencies and local government units (LGUs), as well as the corporate sector, are urged to connect their campaign efforts with this goal.

Apart from using online channels, this year's campaign aims to acquire foothold on the ground as well, with concrete visual messages placed in the streets, public places, private establishments, public utility vehicles, sidewalks, alleys, restrooms, and other locations. This also aligns with the Safe Spaces Act's primary requirement of stopping gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) in public spaces and on the streets.

For this year’s campaign, the ILS Gender and Development Committee holds a series of activities to increase the awareness of ILS personnel on VAW and the mechanisms in place in preventing and responding to GBSH cases in the workplace. The committee also aims to provide a venue to discuss about the salient provisions of SSA and come up with ideas on how to ensure safe spaces for all, especially in the labor and employment sector.

The official launch of the 2021 ILS VAW Activities was scheduled last November 26 and officially kicked off with a special screening of the film, “Barber’s Tales,” and talkback session led by the officers of the ILS GAD.

This year’s roster of activities also includes Orange Your Icon Advocacy Initiative, Safe Spaces Pledge Online Campaign, #SanaAllSpacesSafe Online Campaign, and Participation to DOLE Capacity Building: DOLE Guidelines for the Implementation of Safe Spaces Act (SSA) hosted by the Bureau of Labor Relations.