The Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC) together with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) led a three-hour webinar series entitled “Ako at ang COVID-19: Ang Nakatagong Pandemya ng Karahasan Laban sa Kababaihan” last June 17, 2020.
The session was focused on how the quarantine affected prevalence of domestic violence among Filipino households. It also tackled the current issues and conditions of gender-based violence and cases on violence against women in the Philippines.
The activity was jointly participated by 304 different GAD advocates and experts from various units of academic institutions, private sectors, and local government units. In addition, the webinar gave inputs about the launched campaign named Lunas Collective, a feminist, inclusive chat service that runs on the compassion of volunteers — a safe online space where people seeking support related to gender-based violence and reproductive health can expect that they will be heard.
The founder and one of the speakers, Asst. Prof. Sabrina Laya Gacad from the University of the Philippines, stressed the importance of having a support system that allows the victims and survivors of different gender-based violence to protect and to know their rights. Lunas Collective has since partnered with Likhaan Center for Women’s Health in referring clients for reproductive health consultations, and the Psychological Association of the Philippines for training. It also has the staunch support of the University of the Philippines’ Center for Women’s and Gender Studies and the Department of Women and Development Studies in its initiative.
On the other hand, Dr. Nathalie Africa – Verceles, Director for Center for Women’s and Gender Studies of University of the Philippines, talked about her expertise with regards to domestic violence among Filipino households and the possible coping mechanisms of the victims and survivors. The webinar was facilitated by Dr. Enrique Leviste, director, Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC). (KDAgreda)
