Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte led the "Cycle to End Violence Against Women (VAW)" where around 600 women workers rode their bicycles along the city's roads on Saturday, Nov. 25.
From the Quezon City Hall, the mayor and the participants which include security guards, janitress, vendors, factory workers and barangay Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons passed through Kalayaan Avenue, Kamias Road, Matalino Street, East Avenue, Elliptical Road, Commonwealth Avenue, and Tand Sora Avenue.
The event, which was held for its third year, was spearheaded by the QC Gender and Development (GAD) Council in collaboration with the Embassy of Belgium.
It was conducted as part of the city's campaign for the protection of women against any form of violence or abuse.
The mayor reminded the QCitizens of the importance of having a safe and free community for the women.
Belmonte urged the women, children, and members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community in the city to report any incidents of abuse at the QC Protection Center for assistance, or by calling the city's Helpline 122.
Present during the activity were GAD head Janet Oviedo, GAD Council Member at Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) Head Margie Santos, Belgian Ambassador Michel Parys, Denmark Ambassador Franz-Michael Melbin, German Embassy - Deputy Head of Mission Matthias Kruse, European Union Gender Champion and Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts, and other women's rights advocates.
The participants also received a bike, helmet, knee and elbow pads, and make-up during the event.
In November 2022, the second Cycle to End VAW event was conducted by the city government at the Quezon Memorial Circle. The first bike run against VAW was held in 2021.