Dec 10, 2025
DA-BAR empowers employees with comprehensive VAWC seminar
In observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), the DA-BAR Gender and Development Focal Point System conducted a two-part seminar series for its staff, focused on equipping them to recognize abuse, respond appropriately, and achieve financial empowerment for autonomy and safety.The seminar series began on November 21, in collaboration with Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, delving deep into the multifaceted aspects of violence against women. This included sessions on sexual and physical abuse, psychological violence, economic abuse, family planning, and essential women’s health issues.Atty. Keziah O. Corporal started the discussion by outlining the laws governing sexual and physical abuse and workplace harassment, covering key legislation such as RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995), RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004), and RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act). She highlighted that demanding a sexual favor as a condition for hiring, promotion, or passing a course constitutes sexual harassment under RA 7877. She further emphasized that the victim has multiple avenues for seeking justice and accountability, as abusers can face both administrative cases and criminal cases.Following the legal discussion, the seminar shifted focus to the nature of non-physical harm, with registered psychologist Georgiet P. Quiñones addressing psychological violence.“Psychological violence is not about anger; it’s about control,” she explained, calling it a strategic and interconnected system of tactics used to maintain power over another person.She detailed how psychological violence manifests across various settings, including online, in families, and in intimate relationships. Quiñones identified several tactics used to commit this violence in the workplace, such as passive-aggressive remarks, public shaming, and professional sabotage.Psychological violence in the workplace has negative consequences on the professional settings, leading to a marked decrease in performance, difficulty concentrating, higher absenteeism, lower morale, team conflict, and burnout.To address this, she strongly recommended that organizations establish clear policies, offer safe and confidential reporting pathways, ensure neutral investigation procedures, and implement training on respectful communication and conflict resolution.Dr. Rosalyn C. Panao then focused on prevention and women’s empowerment, discussing how responsible choices support family health and reduce stress. She advocated for proper birth spacing of three to five years, emphasizing the advantages for the mother’s personal growth and development, allowing sufficient time for recovery and the pursuit of career goals and economic independence.She detailed the family planning options, covering artificial, permanent, and natural methods based on fertility awareness. She also emphasized that among all methods, only condoms offer dual protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections—a critical point given the rising number of HIV cases in the Philippines.To conclude the two-part seminar series, the November 26 session focused on financial empowerment. Financial consultant Lara Marie de Villa Lapiña led the discussion. She began by explaining the unique financial challenges faced by women, often related to career breaks for family care and cultural expectations regarding elderly parents.Lapiña defined the topic concisely: “Financial literacy is the knowledge and skills to effectively manage one’s personal finances.” She added that this knowledge directly leads to empowerment. “It equips us to make better decisions. When we understand the various aspects of finance, we become confident and informed in making financial decisions, and this in turn empowers not just the women but also the men,” she said.She stressed the importance of adopting an “income less savings equals expense” mindset, prioritizing saving over spending, and shared basic budgeting and saving rules, including the 50-30-20 Rule and the Money Jar System.Setting up an emergency fund, Lapiña argued, was equally important to saving. She recommended setting aside 3–6 months of total living expenses for single individuals, and 6–12 months of living expenses for those who are married or have dependents. Finally, she stressed the importance of managing risks by getting insurance and actively building wealth by investing.The two-part seminar series concluded by reinforcing the concept that financial independence is a key tool for women’s autonomy.“Financial literacy is freedom. By becoming financially aware and independent, you dramatically improve the odds for women in abusive situations to safely plan their exit, rebuild their lives with dignity, and achieve lasting independence,” said Evelyn H. Juanillo, GFPS Technical Working Group chair.
