SC Joins Annual Global Call to Ending Violence Against Women
November 28, 2023
Supreme Court Justices, officials and employees show their support in the global call to ending violence against women. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
The Supreme Court today encouraged all officials and employees to actively participate in the advocacy to promote and protect women’s rights, and reaffirmed its commitment to ending violence against women as it joined anew the global movement 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (EndVAW).
At the Supreme Court flag raising ceremony today, Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary (CGRJ) Co-Chairpersons Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, and Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh each gave an inspiring message to encourage all Court officials to do their part in ending violence against women.
Justice Inting stressed that awareness is the “the key in the elimination of violence against women.” As such, the Judiciary takes an active role in this campaign by initiating mechanisms to address gender-based violence and has consistently enjoined the trial courts to give primacy to cases involving women and children, among other priority cases.
As part of the Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), the Court’s blueprint of action for judicial reform, the Court approved last year the Guidelines on the Use of Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette.
“Now more than ever, particularly with what is happening globally, we need to own the campaign to end violence against women and take it upon ourselves to create a safe space for women,” said Justice Inting.
Justice Lopez expressed optimism that the collaborative efforts orchestrated by the CGRJ and the Office of Administrative Services (OAS) “will not merely be events on the calendar but catalysts for change.” He said: “Together, let us raise awareness about the imperative of a VAW-free society, dismantle gender biases, and vehemently uphold women’s rights. Let our actions speak of love, mutual respect, and unity transcending all genders.”
Justice Lopez thanked everyone who had lent their support to the case, and urged all to “embark on this crucial journey towards a society where every women stands liberated from the shackles of violence.”
For her part, Justice Singh called on everyone to live by the Guidelines on the Use of Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette, stressing that such was not only applicable in the drafting of Court issuances but also in our daily dealings with other people. Speaking in the vernacular, she said: “Hindi lang po iyan sa pagsusulat lang ng decision o ng resolution ng Korte Suprema. Yan po ay sa pang-araw araw na pakikitungo natin sa isa’t isa. Doon po makakatulong bawat isa sa atin kasi yung language, the very basic form of communication, pwedeng ma-commit ang violence not just against women but against each other kung hindi po natin igagalang ang isa’t isa.”
Justice Singh emphasized the utmost importance of gender sensitivity, saying that inclusivity is present once we are sensitive to each other. “Once we have sensitivity and exclusivity, that’s when we can actually dream of equality,” said Justice Singh. “I urge everybody to be more mindful, more conscious, more aware of how we can be more sensitive towards each other. Even just in our environment, in our institution, if we can exercise that then we can set a good example. Because after all, we are the judicial branch of the government and we should be the leader in upholding the Rule of Law.”
Also today, the Court conducted an outreach program with its chosen beneficiary, Welcome House Paco, “a recognized crisis intervention center in the country which offers impartial and competent help for people in crisis or emotionally troubled or distressed.” The Court, through Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan, earlier encouraged officials and employees to donate in kind which will be donated to the chosen shelter.
The 18-Day Campaign to EndVAW is an annual international event that advocates to eliminate all forms of violence against women by raising awareness on gender-based violence, create a safe atmosphere for them, among others. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Co-Chairperson of the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary, underscores that awareness is “the key in the elimination of violence against women.” (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, Co-Chairperson of the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary (CJRJ), is optimistic that that the collaborative efforts orchestrated by the CGRJ and the Office of Administrative Services (OAS) “will not merely be events on the calendar but catalysts for change. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Maria Filomena D. Singh, Co-Chairperson of the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary, emphasizes the utmost importance of gender sensitivity, saying that inclusivity is present once we are sensitive to each other. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)