Zonta Club of Cebu II held a forum to encourage men and boys to become advocates in the campaign for ending gender-based violence.
The forum “Engaging Men and Boys as Allies in Ending Gender-based Violence,” held at the Mahogany Hall, Oakridge Executive Lounge, sought to create or intensify the awareness of the participants on gender-based violence and change their mindset on women.
Two resource speakers Executive Judge Marlon Jay Moneva of the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City and Atty. Bobby Quitain were invited to speak during the forum.
Judge Moneva discussed the various laws that cover gender-based violence to create or enhance awareness of the issue while Atty. Quitain expounded on the need for men to be open to a change in their perspective on gender issues.
The forum participants include members of the Philippine National Police, representatives from 13 barangays in Mandaue City and male college students from different universities in Cebu such as Cebu Institute of Technology University, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Cebu Aeronautical Technical School, University of the Visayas and University of Cebu.
On the other hand, Atty. Quitain noted that history showed that most societies have sanctioned the use of violence against women. “The patriarch of a family was accorded the right to use force on members of the family under his control.” He stressed the need to change the perspective of men as far as women are concerned. “Men and women are equal but different.”
According to Atty. Quitain, men should have the values represented by the acronym ‘WOMAN.’ W for a wise estimate of oneself; O for openness to a change in perspective; M for maturity; A for appreciative spirit and N for nurturing spirit.
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