Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria Yaranon has proposed an ordinance creating the Baguio “Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere” (MOVE) Organization.
The proposal aims to mobilize male employees of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and male in the community as an organization to help the city government institute policy advocacy and changes in the city’s Violence Against Women (VAW) programs.
Yaranon said the city government must foster women’s full potential, uplift their status, and improve their quality of life through the enactment of gender-responsive policies and must commit itself to the eradication of all forms of VAW.
The MOVE Organization to be created shall be under the direct supervision of the CSWDO. Among its functions are for members to encourage their fellow men to commit themselves to be actively involved in the elimination of VAW as well as not to commit, condone, nor remain silent in the face of VAW and examine, propose, and formulate actions for the total male participation in the elimination of VAW.
It shall also form partnerships and linkages with similar groups against VAW, both in the local and national communities, conduct researches on the social impact of VAW for policy and program coordination and development, and establish resource network on VAW.
The MOVE Organization shall also foster stronger and more active fellowship and comradeship among its members and exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be assigned by the mayor or as may be prescribed by existing laws or ordinances.
The city mayor shall appoint or assign a personnel in the MOVE Organization who shall be primarily responsible in the overall management of the program and accomplishment of the ordinance’s objectives.
Under the ordinance, the following committees shall likewise be created: committee on membership and recruitment; committee on education, training, and capacity building; and committee on information and advocacy.
The proposed ordinance was referred to the committee on social services, women, and urban poor for review. – Jordan G. Habbiling
