The Gender and Development (GAD) Office, under the supervision of Ms. Ma. Gemma L. Tapel, Director of Gender and Development of Northwest Samar State University, successfully organized the “5K Move, Run to End VAW 2024” on December 16, 2024, at the NwSSU Socio-Cultural Center.
The event, themed “VAW Bigyang-Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras!,” gathered students from the Main and San Jorge campuses, faculty, stakeholders, and participants outside the university in an initiative to raise awareness against Violence Against Women (VAW). Major sponsors, including the NwSSU Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NwSSU MPC) and DITO Telecom, contributed to the success of the program, highlighting the significance of partnerships in advocating for a violence-free society.
The program kicked off at 3:00 PM with Welcome Remarks from Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, University President, who reaffirmed NwSSU’s dedication to gender equality and advocacy. A Message of Support from Mr. Alvin B. Lentejas, NwSSU MPC General Manager, highlighted the importance of collaboration in the fight against VAW.
Participants engaged in a warm-up session led by BPEd students before proceeding with the 5-kilometer fun run. The event embodied solidarity and enthusiasm, representing a collective effort to eradicate violence.
The activity culminated in an Awarding Ceremony and Closing Remarks delivered by Ms. Ma. Gemma L. Tapel on behalf of Dr. Riz Rupert L. Ortiz, VP for Research, Innovation, and Extension, who encouraged ongoing action against VAW. A Raffle Draw contributed to the excitement, leaving participants motivated to champion a violence-free community.
The successful event demonstrated NwSSU’s commitment to enhancing awareness and promoting a safe, equitable society.