The Embassy welcomed to its new chancery the Filipino community members (in-person and online) for the 3rd Hall Meeting on Sunday, 06 October 2024 where two distinguished lawyers helped attendees gain a better understanding of Philippine and international laws that safeguard the family and provide enabling mechanisms to end domestic violence.
Atty. Guillermo V. Sebastian, Court Attorney VI of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and Atty. Kristy Jane Balino, Senior Counsel and Head of Litigation of FGDLaw, Manila and Deputy Director for Legal Affairs for Arellano University, Inc., served as resource speakers. They discussed the commitment of the Philippines and parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in upholding gender equality and in promoting safe spaces, preventing violence against women and children (VAWC), gender-based violence, domestic abuse, cyber bullying, economic abuse of spouses, among others. Overseas Filipinos, especially those in CEDAW member countries, can avail of or access services of local agencies to hear their grievances. South Africa and the other nine countries under the Embassy’s jurisdiction are all members of the CEDAW.
The Embassy thanks Atty. Sebastian and Atty. Balino for sharing their time and expertise and the Filipino community for their active and enthusiastic participation in another fruitful town hall meeting.
