DAVAO CITY – Before the end of women’s month, Davaoeñas will be treated to a free self defense seminar here next week, March 29.
In an effort to bring more awareness to women’s rights and how women can fight for their rights, Dakila Davao and JCI Duwaling will bring a women’s rights and self defense seminar called “Fight for your Rights”.
The event is in partnership with Bagani Martial Arts Center, NCCC Mall and is supported by Davao Today and Perfect Napkins.
The seminar will be held at the NCCC Mall of Davao Atrium, from 3:00 pm-7:00 pm.
This event is in partnership with Bagani Martial Arts Center and NCCC Mall of Davao, and supported by Davao Today and Perfect Napkins.
Jessica Madrazo, managing director of Dakila Davao said the seminar aims “to bring the issue of women’s rights and violence against women to a broader audience.”
The seminar will have a talk on women’s rights and situation in Davao by Councilor Leah Librado-Yap, women’s rights online by Julia Jasmine Sta. Romana of Dakila and violence against women by Police Senior Inspector Elisa Coralde Ramirez, Chief of Women and Children Protection Desk.
Later on, instructors from the Bagani Martial Arts Studio will show participants and audience members basic self defense moves they can use to protect themselves against attackers.
Ryan Cordero, one of the instructors of Bagani Martial Arts Center shares that their motivation behind supporting this seminar: “We would like share our knowledge and skills to help women to be safer and to help them prevent or handle an assault if need arises.”
“We are hoping that after the event they will have a better understanding about violence against women and self defense,” he said.
VAWC as an international issue
Madrazo said they hope that by integrating practical self defense and awareness of women’s rights, it can empower more women to fight for their rights and give them the tools they need to defend their rights.
“What we want to do here is make women feel powerful,” says Madrazo.
She said “violence against women is a serious international issue”, citing data from the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).
According to the “Women Safety Module” one in five women in the Philippines aged 15-49 has experienced physical violence since age 15. Around 14.4 percent of married women have experienced physical abuse from their husbands.
Meanwhile, more than one-third (37%) of separated or widowed women have experienced physical violence, implying that domestic violence could be the reason for separation or annulment. One in twenty five women age 15-49 who have experienced forced first sexual intercourse. While one in ten women age 15-49 experienced sexual violence.
“Women can achieve anything they set their mind to and they should be encouraged to do so. When they know they can defend themselves, they’ll feel more empowered to fight for women’s rights.”
‘Informed women are empowered’
Yasmin Badelles Fabricante, President of JCI Duwaling, echoes this sentiment saying: “Women empowerment and gender equality has always been part of JCI Duwaling’s advocacy. We believe that when a woman is informed, she is empowered.”
This event is free for all but participants must register to join self defense class within the venue.
For more information about Fight For Your Rights, you can visit their event page. (davaotoday.com)
