The Philippine Consulate General, in coordination with Hong Kong’s Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), organized on 9 December 2018 a lecture-workshop addressing sexual harassment in a household setting titled “Walang Ganyanan!” (Don’t Treat Me That Way) at the Philippine Consulate General Conference Room.
The project was organized pursuant to the provisions of the Magna Carta of Women and as part of the annual 18-day national Campaign to End Violence against Women, which was being observed between 25 November and 12 December not only in the Philippines but also in overseas missions worldwide where significant numbers of Filipinos are living.
“This workshop aims to provide the necessary training on how to identify the signs of sexual harassment, particularly in the household setting given this is the workplace of household service workers in Hong Kong, around 210,00During the workshop, visiting Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rowena V. Guanzon, a staunch supporter of women’s rights and gender equality, also gave a pep talk on her experience on addressing sexual harassment and practical tips to determine whether or not there is sexual harassment.0 of them are Filipinos,” said Consul General Antonio A. Morales in his welcome remarks.
Consul General Morales also expressed hope that the workshop will equip OFWs with the necessary knowledge on what do to in case they or people they know will be victims of sexual harassment, including their rights as victims under Hong Kong laws, as well as assistance they can obtain from the Consulate and Hong Kong entities.
Ms. Devi Novianti of the EOC conducted the lecture where she discussed the basics of sexual harassment (definition, examples, legal basis) and ways of preventing and reporting the same after the fact.
During the workshop, visiting Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rowena V. Guanzon, a staunch supporter of women’s rights and gender equality, also gave a pep talk on her experience on addressing sexual harassment and practical tips to determine whether or not there is sexual harassment.
Finally, members of the United Taekwondo Academy-Hong Kong led by Mr. Wilfredo Cabanero gave a self-defense demonstration class to the participants.
Close to 50 participants attended the lecture-workshop and also joined the Consulate’s online campaign “#VAWFREEPH in HK PCG” where they changed the frames of their Facebook profile photos to receive a token gift from the Consulate.
“Walang Ganyanan!” was held under the auspices of the Consulate’s Gender and Development (GAD) program. It was the Consulate’s second project in observance of the Campaign to End Violence against Women.
