In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 โ Quality Education, the โBreaking the Silence: Empowering Voices Against VAWCโ symposium, held on November 25, 2024, at North Valley College Foundation, Inc. (NVCFI), exemplified the institutionโs commitment to using education as a platform for social transformation. The event gathered eight (8) Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from across Cotabato and South Cotabato, bringing together students, educators, and community advocates to engage in open dialogue and learning about the prevention of violence against women and children. This educational event not only strengthened awareness of human rights and gender equality but also provided a safe, inclusive space where students and the general public could participate in discussions promoting justice, empowerment, and protection for vulnerable populations.
The symposium embodied the global principles of education for sustainable development and lifelong learning by equipping participants with the knowledge and critical understanding needed to address systemic violence. Guided by Republic Act 9262, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the program emphasized the vital role of education in dismantling gender-based stereotypes and fostering civic responsibility. Through the participation of key stakeholders, including Police Corporal Marilou B. Lucena, who discussed the legal and practical aspects of VAWC law enforcement, attendees developed not only legal literacy but also empathy, awareness, and advocacy skillsโcore competencies that align with international standards for transformative education.
Beyond compliance with national mandates, this initiative reflects NVCFIโs active role in advancing internationalization in higher education by promoting global values of equality, peace, and human rights through public educational engagement. By opening its doors to students and institutions beyond its campus, NVCFI reinforced the concept that quality education extends beyond academicsโit is also about cultivating socially responsible citizens capable of driving community and global change. Through this event, NVCFI and its partners demonstrated that education can serve as a powerful vehicle for advocacy, collaboration, and empowermentโcore elements of SDG 4 and the broader vision for inclusive and equitable education worldwide.
