CASS joins in VAW campaign kickoff

Report and Photo by Chino Brendon Tangonan

College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) participated in the opening program of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) on November 25, 2025.

Spearheaded by the Office of Gender and Development (OGAD), students, faculty members, and staff marched inside the Tarlac State University campus, formally launching this year’s campaign with the theme, “UNITEd for a VAW-Free Philippines.”

OGAD OIC Director Prof. Christine Janelle M. Santiago expressed her appreciation for the overwhelming support and unity shown by the university.

“Hindi madali dahil worldwide, more than 800 million ang naabusong kababaihan. Pero kung titingnan natin, malayo na ang narating ng adbokasiya, at mas malayo pa ang mararating natin if patuloy tayong magkakaisa,” Prof. Santiago said.

Second-year Psychology student and Kaya Natin Youth (KNY) Organizing and Membership Committee Director Elisha Hernandez also expressed optimism with the commencement, sharing the collective efforts of OGAD and different school organizations made this possible.

“Bilang isa sa kababaihan na nakaranas ng karahasan at nais itong wakasan, ang nilo-look forward ko sa 18-day campaign na ito is mas maging malawak pa ang aming awareness patungkol sa aming mga karapatan, upang magkaroon kami ng sapat na kaalaman kung paano namin mapprotektahan ang aming mga sarili laban sa kaharasan na aming nararanasan,” Director Hernandez shared.

Additionally, in collaboration with OGAD and the School of Law, Vice President for Administration Atty. Gherold C. Benitez announced the establishment of the university’s first special court dedicated to Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) cases. The court shall provide its services free of charge.

The commencement also marked the launch of the TSU MOVE KATROPA Chapter (Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere and Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya), reinforcing the university’s commitment for the cause.

The campaign will run from November 25 to December 12 and will feature a series of events, seminars, and competitions organized by OGAD for students and employees, including a poster-making contest, infomercial contest, filmmaking competition, slogan-making contest, chalk art competition, spoken word poetry, and contemporary dance competition.

Overall, the kickoff served as another step towards a VAWC free university and VAWC free Philippines.