QUEZON CITY – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), officially opened the Walk in Her Shoes Exhibit from 28 November to 02 December 2025 at the ILS Office, MegaONE Building, Quezon City. The launch forms part of ILS’ observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), reinforcing the Institute’s continuing advocacy to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work.

The exhibit features the harrowing yet resilient lived experiences of women and girls—from fisherfolk and farmers to formal-sector workers and domestic migrant laborers. It serves as a powerful reminder that harmful social norms persist and highlights the significance of laws such as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (Anti-VAWC) Act and the Magna Carta of Women in protecting the rights of Filipinas.

In her opening remarks, ILS Executive Director Jeanette Damo cited global statistics on gender-based violence and harassment, underscoring how these issues disproportionately affect women and girls. She emphasized the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) ongoing efforts to address these challenges, particularly within the labor sector, and reaffirmed DOLE’s commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and equitable workplaces.

Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Leilani Reynoso delivered a message of support, highlighting DOLE’s initiatives to promote safe spaces and equal opportunities for all workers. She stressed the importance of collective action in ensuring workplaces remain free from violence, discrimination, and harassment.

Adding to the momentum was a message from UNFPA Country Representative Neus Bernabeu, who commended the strong partnerships among international organizations, DOLE, and ILS in advancing the fight against VAW. She reminded participants that violence against women remains widespread across many sectors and requires sustained, coordinated responses.

Following the program, participants and guest speakers took photos at the installation inside the ILS Conference Room before proceeding to the ground floor to experience the full Walk in Her Shoes exhibit. The five immersive installations allowed attendees to step into the lived realities of women in the construction industry, overseas employment, conflict settings, agricultural work, and pandemic-related hardships, offering a vivid portrayal of women’s resilience and the urgency of addressing all forms of violence.

The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW supports the Philippine government’s commitment to protect the human rights of women and girls and eliminate all forms of gender-based violence, as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. Under Republic Act 10398, November 25 is declared as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAWC, mandating government agencies to raise awareness and promote action against violence.

For more information on ILS activities for the campaign, visit the ILS Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ilsdoleofficial/.

To learn more about the 18-Day Campaign, visit: https://pcw.gov.ph/18-day-campaign-to-end-vaw/.

To file a report, please refer to the following VAW Hotlines:
- VAW Helplines: https://pcw.gov.ph/violence-against-women-helplines/
- Hotlines for OFWs: https://drive.google.com/.../1Fw3h315WK6LIHPMfA0Hh.../view

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