BUTUAN CITY – Around twenty (20) Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk Officers and Punong Barangays from the different provinces of Caraga region actively took part during the Regional Quiz Bowl held on Monday, December 12, 2022 at the Events Center of SM City Butuan. 

Most of the questions raised during the quiz bowl talked about laws protecting women and children, Safe Spaces Act, and other related information.

The said activity was spearheaded by the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, which formed part of the culmination for this year’s 18-Day Campaign to End VAW which runs from November 25 until December 12. 

According to Jessie Catherine Aranas, chief of Protective Services Division of DSWD Caraga, the regional quiz bowl for VAWDesk Officers has been a regular activity of the committee for the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW. “This has started in year 2019 wherein the local government unit of Bayugan City was hailed as the First Regional Quiz Bowl for VAW Desk Officers winner, followed by LGU Bislig City of Surigao del Sur, and LGU Claver of Surigao del Norte,” she recalled.

Aranas highlighted that VAW Desk Officers have been continuously undergoing capacity building for them to become more equipped in knowledge and skills especially in handling VAWC cases in their respective areas.

She also emphasized that through collaboration with the different stakeholders in the region, the campaign against trafficking and VAWC have intensified through the years and women have become more empowered and well-oriented of their rights. 

Aranas further stressed that the committee will continue to promote the rights and welfare of the women and children sectors by initiating various significant programs and activities in the next year.

For this year, the following were declared winners for the same competition:

1st Prize - Province of Agusan del Norte/LGU Cabadbaran City (Team 1)

2nd Prize - Province of Agusan del Norte/LGU Cabadbaran City (Team 2)

3rd Prize - Province of Surigao del Norte/LGU Anaoawon

All the winners received plaques of appreciation from RIACAT-VAWC, as well as cash prizes and tokens.

Meanwhile, partner agencies also received certificates of appreciation for constantly supporting the line up activities for the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW including the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)