Kahel walk marks 18-Day campaign to end violence against women

BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City joined the nationwide call to end gender-based violence as hundreds marched in the KAHEL Lakad Para sa Lahat solidarity walk on December 12, 2025, from Session Road to Malcolm Square.

The event, organized by the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) Northwestern Luzon Chapter in partnership with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Women & Children Protection Unit, capped the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).

Participants donned orange—the global color symbolizing hope and a future free from violence—as they carried banners and messages of solidarity.

The walk emphasized the role of medical professionals, local institutions, and community members in protecting women and children from abuse.

The 18-Day Campaign, spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women, aligns with international observances against gender-based violence.

It underscores that violence against women is a human rights violation and a public health issue, with the World Health Organization reporting that one in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

By marching through Baguio’s busiest thoroughfare, organizers sought to amplify awareness, encourage survivors to seek help, and remind institutions of their duty to safeguard vulnerable groups.