Groups of men and women including ambassadors of some European embassies to the Philipines, non-government organizations (NGOs) and advocacy group members, all donning orange shirts, cycled around Intramuros, Manila on Friday morning, Nov. 25, to kickoff the 18-day violence against women (VAW) campaign.
The “Share the Road With Her” initiative, is an annual bike ride activity that gathers and encourages participants to move in solidarity with the nationwide campaign against VAW and gender-based violence.
The initiative also served as a “reaffirmation of the European Union’s stance on gender-based violence and the objectives we laid out in the EU Gender Action Plan III,” according to the Finnish Embassy.
The event was spearheaded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Manila, in partnership with the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, the Austrian Embassy Manila, the Czech Embassy Manila, and the Finnish Embassy in Manila.
It was also made possible in cooperation with NGOs and advocacy groups such as SheDecides Philippines, Filipino Freethinkers, Pinay Bike Commuter, Break The Cycle Philippines, Voice Philippines, Lunas Collective.
The event was organized with the help of the Intramuros Administration, and Bambike Ecotours Intramuros.
Belgian Ambassador Michel Parys and Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts delivered their opening messages at the assembly site at Fort Santiago in Intramuros.
“Although we show solidarity and commemorate this important day every year with this campaign, we have to remember that every day, every hour, every minute, there are thousands of women around the world who still experience violence,” said Ambassador Geraedts.
Beyond today, beyond the 18-day campaign we are mounting, we have to address the root causes of gender-based discrimination and violence against all women and girls in our circles, our communities, our spaces,” she added.
Messages of support and call-to-action were also raised by Czech Ambassador Jana Šedivá, French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, EU Gender Champion Finnish Ambassador Juha Pyykö, and Intramuros Administration Officer-In-Charge Mr. Edgardo Baysic.
The 18-day VAW campaign is from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12.