BAGUIO CITY – The city government here has formed a men’s organization to boost its campaign to end violence against women (VAW).
The group, called Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (MOVE), was formed “in a bid to make men a direct participant [in] the campaign to stop violence [against] women and children where men are mostly the identified perpetrators,” Councilor Mylene Yaranon said Tuesday.
Yaranon co-authored the ordinance that was passed on Jan. 13 institutionalizing the creation of MOVE.
MOVE is a campaign pushed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that mobilizes male employees as well as male members of the community in the advocacy towards prevention of VAW.
The MOVE in this city aims to help the local government institute policy advocacy and changes, as well as boost its existing VAW programs. It will be under the direct supervision of the City’s Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and will have the following functions:
— Encourage their fellow men to commit themselves to be actively involved in the elimination of VAW as well as not to commit, condone, nor remain silent in the face of VAW;
— examine, propose, and formulate actions for the total male participation in the elimination of VAW.
— form partnerships and linkages with similar groups against VAW, both in the local and national communities;
— conduct researches on the social impact of VAW for policy and program coordination and development;
— establish resource network on VAW and foster stronger and more active fellowship and comradeship among its members.
In a phone interview, Maria Aplaten, regional director of the DSWD-Cordillera, said they continue to urge other local government units in the region to encourage more participation from men in their respective anti-VAW initiatives.
She said there are national line agencies that have formed their MOVE organizations and are conducting training to members for a VAW-free community.
“Mga kalalakihan ang karamihan sa record na nag-abuso sa mga kababaihan pero kung magiging miyembro sila ng MOVE sa workplaces nila, mahihiya sila na sila mismo ang mananakit. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit isinasama na natin sila sa campaign (Most abusers of women are men but if they become members of MOVE in their workplaces, they might be ashamed to commit these abuses and that is the reason why added them in the campaign),” Aplaten said.
She added that MOVE will conduct training, lectures and briefings to enable their fellow men to become more aware of the responsibility to care for women. **Liza Agoot
