18-DAY CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The Philippine Government, by virtue of Proclamation No. 1172 (s. 2006), has declared November 25 to December 12 of every year as the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women" and has designated November 25 of every year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children. 

Since 2002, the Philippines has participated in the worldwide campaign to eliminate Violence Against Women (VAW).  From 2002 to 2003, the Campaign focused on raising awareness on VAW which led to the passage of two landmark legislations:  RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004).

Succeeding years focused on the popularization of the newly passed laws, including the other anti-VAW laws on rape and sexual harassment, strengthening their implementation at the national and local level, and building a network of male advocates against VAW (Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere or MOVE).

The 2022-2027 recurring campaign theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines” highlights the transformative power of collective and coordinated action in addressing this urgent issue.  For 2025, the campaign has focused on advancing a whole-of-nation approach – mobilizing diverse voices and key players, in a shared commitment to fully eliminate gender-based violence, empower survivors, and promote justice.

The 2025 18-Day End VAW Campaign specifically aims to: 

• Accelerate the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women;
• Mobilize youth to speak out against violence, raise awareness, and actively advocate for a VAW-free future;   
• Empower men to be proactive allies by promoting respectful behavior, challenging harmful norms, and supporting gender equality;
• Encourage bystanders to take actions, break the silence, and intervene safely and effectively; and,
• Mainstream VAW prevention across sectors to ensure a whole-of-nation approach, linking it with broader social, economic, and governance agendas to address root causes and systemic barriers.

During this End-VAW campaign period, the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw encourages everyone to wear something orange in support of the Advocacy to raise public awareness, foster solidarity, and amplify the campaign’s message of building a VAW-free and inclusive Bagong Pilipinas. END