Press Release
PR No. ETA-33-2023
JEDDAH PCG INAUGURATES LACTATION ROOM, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DESK, AND CENTER FOR GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
13 December 2023, Jeddah – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah (Jeddah PCG), in support of the 18-Day Nationwide Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), and to strengthen its gender and development programs, formally inaugurated three (3) new facilities at the Consulate on 12 December 2023. The inauguration ceremonies were held at the Consulate’s Building 1 (Consular Building), and was attended by Consulate personnel and consular clients. The facilities inaugurated were the following:
- Center for Gender and Development Initiatives (CGADI)
- Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk
- Lactation Room (with Diaper-Changing Station and Play Area)
The facilities were designed to address the needs of mothers with lactating babies (Lactation Room), and victims of VAW (VAW Desk), who need psychological intervention and other applicable interventions by the Consulate, or at the Philippines. The CGADI will serve as a venue for meetings, planning programs, and focus group discussions, as well as a space to design advocacy materials, and hold activities related to gender and development.
Consul General Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian, in his inspirational message during the activity, said that the creation of the three facilities within the Consulate premises was aimed to contribute to the promotion of the rights of women, in the protection of their welfare, and in advancing the agenda of making women’s voices be heard more loudly and in a more resonating manner.
“The inauguration of the three new facilities shows our serious commitment to promote women and enhance our gender and development (GAD) programs. These facilities housed in separate buildings within the Consulate will benefit women primarily, which we hope will also redound to happier and more meaningful family life and personal life for them, and their families as well. We hope that these facilities will be able to strengthen our advocacy of promoting and protecting the rights and welfare of women, and engaging all men and women in contributing to this cause,” Consul General Auxilian added.
The inauguration rites also served as the culminating activity of the Consulate’s observance of the 18-Day End VAW Campaign. This year’s VAW-Free campaign has the theme “UNiTEd for a VAW-Free Philippines. – END-
INAUGURATION PHOTOS
Consul General Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian addressing the audience at the inauguration ceremonies held at the Consulate’s Building 1
Photos during the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of Center for Gender and Development Initiatives (CGADI)
Consul General Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian (center), together with the officers of Jeddah PCG (from left to right) Vice-Consul Kristal Mary Padon-Rabanal, Social Welfare Attache Narrabelle Bue, Vice-Consul Jeremiah Attento, Consul Alfred Kristoffer Guiang, Vice-Consul Jules Partick Aguila, and Attache and Gender and Development Alternate Focal Point Officer Ms. Kaye Azrael Argana-Garcia during the ribbon-cutting of the Center for Gender and Development Initiatives (CGADI)
The entrance of the Center for Gender and Development Initiatives (CGADI) shows the Center’s logo
Jeddah PCG officers inside the CGADI
Photos during the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of the Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk
Consul General Edgar Tomas Auxilian, with Jeddah PCG officers at the ribbon-cutting program of the VAW Desk
Jeddah PCG personnel at the VAW Desk
Photos during the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of the Lactation Room
Consul General Auxilian with Jeddah PCG officers at the formal opening of the Consulate’s Lactation Room
Jeddah PCG officers inside the Lactation Room, which has a diaper-changing station and a play area
