The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its lead disaster response arm — the Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) — has brought its campaign to end Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) to all evacuation centers (ECs) nationwide to enhance the protection of women and children.

Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the initiative supports the 18-day campaign to end VAW, observed annually from 25 November to 12 December.

“This year's powerful and deeply relevant theme—'Sa EC, Walang VAWC' (In Evacuation Centers, There is No VAWC)—is a direct and profound call to action that resonates at the very core of the DSWD’s mandate,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also DSWD spokesperson, said on Wednesday (10 December).

As the bureau responsible for managing and overseeing ECs during typhoons, earthquakes, and other emergencies, the DSWD spokesperson said the DRMB rigorously enforces the standard that ECs must not only offer refuge from physical hazards but also function as safe, dignified, and violence-free spaces for all evacuees.

“This visible commitment underscores the DSWD’s philosophy that disaster response is more than just providing assistance—it is, at its core, about safeguarding all people, particularly vulnerable populations,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao emphasized.

To uphold the critical call, "Sa EC, Walang VAWC," the DRMB continues to strengthen protection mechanisms in evacuation centers through several integrated initiatives.

The first initiative is the implementation of gender-responsive camp management, which embeds VAWC prevention protocols into all operations, including providing separate sanitation facilities, adequate lighting, and designated safe spaces for women and children.

The Department also activates protection desks managed by trained DRMB personnel and partner agency staff who offer immediate assistance, psychosocial support, and legal referrals.

In terms of capacity building, Asst. Secretary Dumlao explained that Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and camp management capabilities are enhanced through regular training on key legislation such as Republic Act (RA) 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004, and RA 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, which underscores that VAWC remains a public crime even during disaster.

The DSWD spokesperson said the Department prioritizes the dissemination of information materials in ECs to ensure that anti-VAWC resources, hotlines, and reporting mechanisms are fully accessible to all evacuees.

“The 18-day campaign serves as a crucial reminder that the agency’s disaster response initiatives are always geared towards prioritizing the safety, dignity, and protection of women and children,” Dumlao pointed out.

In support of the activity, DSWD personnel decorated their workstations with orange ribbons, the global symbol for the elimination of violence against women and girls, to express solidarity with the campaign.

This year, the 18-day campaign against VAW banners the recurring theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines.”