In support of the 2025 National Women’s Month observance, the four Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCF) of DSWD Field Office 7 demonstrated their commitment on March 7, 2025, at the AVRC II Covered Court.

Clients, residents, and staff from the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II, Home for Girls, Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), and the Regional Haven for Women participated in a parade around the compound in Brgy. Labangon, Cebu City.

Dr. Jenneth R. Aquino, center head of RSCC, cited that it is important for the participants to understand the advocacy’s significance.

“These individuals are either victim-survivors of abuse, violence, or neglect, especially the residents of Haven for Women, Home for Girls, and RSCC—who are victims of abuse, violence, neglect, or abandonment,” she said.

She expressed her desire for a unified CRCF effort in empowering these individuals, encouraging them to be brave in standing up for themselves.

RSCC provides care for children ages 0 to 6 who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected, while the Home for Girls shelters female adolescents. The Haven for Women supports women and their dependents who are victims of abuse and violence.

Meanwhile, persons with disability trainees from AVRC II showed their support through a dance performance as part of a global movement to raise awareness and end violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Lucel Gonzales, a Social Worker who led the dance, shared that AVRC II hopes that trainees must know and recognize the movement of women. “Our trainees at AVRC II are very happy with our advocacy, especially the women, for joining the month-long activities as they feel that the agency cares about their sector,” she said.

The trainees participated by performing the advocacy song “Isang Bilyong Babae ang Babangon,” which is part of the One Billion Rising campaign, a global initiative to end violence against women and children (VAWC).

Meanwhile, residents of the Regional Haven for Women conducted a psycho-education session on the psychology of abuse for the women and girls in their care. The session aimed to raise awareness about the challenges women face, particularly in understanding the impact of domestic abuse and violence on women and their children.

The CRCFs will also hold a pageant dedicated to the women and girls who have shown immense courage in overcoming life’s adversities, which led them to seek refuge at the DSWD facilities, is scheduled for March 26, 2025 at the AVRC II compound. ###

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