Delegates from LAO-Peoples Democratic Republic headed by Dr. Boungnong Boupha, chairperson of the Women Parliamentarian Caucus, recently visited DSWD-NCR’s Haven for Women, to benchmark initiatives of DSWD in combating human trafficking and violence against women and their children.

In her speech, Dr. Boupha affirmed our efforts to address the challenges of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) concerning women and children and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

She acknowledged the DSWD and the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. for the management of a facility that provides rehabilitation to abused women. Moreover, Dr. Boupha handed over P10,000.00 for the center.

The visit was initiated by the office of Congresswoman Gina De Venecia, chairperson of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. Other guests were Congresswomen Malou Acosta-Alba, representative of 1st District, Bukidnon and Olga Kho, representative of 2nd District, Masbate, who expressed appreciation to the government of LAO for visiting the Philippines.

The Haven for Women is a facility that provides temporary shelter and protective custody to women ages 18-59 years old, who are victims of involuntary or forced prostitution, illegal recruitment, sexual abuse, armed conflicts, women in detention, and others. It enables women in especially difficult circumstances to resolve their problems and to restore their normal social functioning through the provision of protective and rehabilitative services. ###