BARCELONA, 12 December 2022 - As part of the Philippine Government's 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona organized the “Zumba with the Filipino Community” for a "VAW-Free Community” held on 11 December 2022 at Club Lleuresport, C/Sant Oleguer 10, Barcelona.

Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro emphasized that the Government's campaign to raise awareness on VAW reaffirms the government’s commitment to address all forms of violence against women as enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Post’s GAD Focal Person, Consul Raisa A. Mabayo, briefed the participants, majority of whom were women, on the 1993 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women’s legal framework, which states that no one has the right to hurt women, whether physically, emotionally, or psychologically, and that women deserve to be respected and loved. She also mentioned the advances made by the Philippines in mainstreaming GAD in policy formulation, programs, and projects of government agencies, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The activity was successfully undertaken in partnership with Asociació Filipin Catala (Aficat) Dance Fitness headed by Ms. Melanie Untal Aguilos.

An estimated 100 zumberas actively participated in the event. They were provided with PCG tote bag containing face towel, soap, hand/body wash, sanitizer, bread and bottled water. END