In celebration of this year’s National Women’s Month, the Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Accreditation Bureau (DTI-PAB) conducted an in-person awareness session for its personnel on the Safe Spaces Acton 25 March 2024 at PAB office, 395 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City. The goal of the activity is to emphasize its importance in creating safer environments for all individuals, especially women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Safe Spaces Act, officially known as Republic Act No. 11313, aims to prevent gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, online platforms, and institutions, ensuring the safety and security of every Filipino citizen. Recognizing the significance of this legislation, PAB took proactive steps to educate its staff on its significance and implications.

The awareness session was facilitated by Ms. Josephine Gabriel-Banaag, a member of the pool of experts of the Philippine Commission on Women, stressed the importance of public awareness for the successful implementation of this Act. Her presentation covered the definition of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Violence Against Women (VAW), punishable acts, and penalties of the law and authorities where victims can seek assistance.

The session included interactive discussions, and practical scenarios aimed at equipping PAB employees with the knowledge necessary in creating a safe and inclusive environment. The activity also serves as a platform for fostering a deeper understanding of the roles in creating safe spaces and combatting harassment and discrimination.

PAB personnel together with Resource Person Ms. Josephine Gabriel-Banaag pose for a group photo after the in-person Awareness Session on RA 11313 or Safe Spaces Act on March 25, 2024 at PAB Office, Makati City.

The awareness session concluded with a commitment from participants to integrate the principles of the Safe Spaces Act into their daily practices and to share the learnings gathered from the activity. 

Release Date: 04 April 2024.