The United Nations (UN) Gender Thematic Group (GTG), in collaboration with several partners including the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS); Bayi, Inc.; SafeCity; the UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc. (UPCWSFI); and the UP College of Fine Arts, organized an experiential exhibit titled “Walk in Her Shoes” to support the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW). A program at the exhibit opening was held on 20 February 2024 at the College of Fine Arts (Arts and Design Building), UP Diliman. Speakers during the event included Asst. Prof. Lisa Ito-Tapang of the UP College of Fine Arts; Dr. Marie Aubrey J. Villaceran, Director of the UPCWGS; Jose Roi Avena, Assistant Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); and Ma. Rosalyn G. Mesina, Country Coordinator of UN Women.
The exhibit, initially launched in December 2023 and previously housed at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), was relocated to its new venue at the UP College of Fine Arts and is accessible to visitors until 29 February 2024. It showcases stories from various sectors of women and girls, highlighting the different forms of gender-based violence they encounter on a daily basis. The primary goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness about the pervasive nature of VAW, encourage reflection on the prevailing social norms that perpetuate this harmful behavior, and mobilize action to eradicate VAW.