According to the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2017, 1 in 4 women aged 15-49 years old experienced violence from their husband or partner, whether be it in the form of physical, emotional or sexual violence. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that  35% or 1 in 3 women have gone through physical and/or sexual violence.

While households are advised to stay at home and avoid non-essential trips due to the threat of COVID-19, the tendency of women to experience violence in the confines of their homes is increased. Further, the quarantine measures may also hinder women from seeking help, escaping from perpetrators and reporting the abuse done by their partners.

President Rodrigo Duterte on his 12^th report to the Congress last 11 June 2020, there have been 2,183 and 2,077 cases of violence against women and children, respectively, accounted since the implementation of community quarantine measures in the country from March 2020.

VAWC remains a serious health concern and human rights violation especially in this pandemic, thus it must be addressed.

The Republic Act No. 9262, also known as "Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004” is a law instrumental in protecting women and their children against violence inflicted by the woman’s intimate partner. To raise public awareness and eliminate all forms of violence against women and children, Republic Act No. 10398 declares 25 November of every year as “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Children,” while Proclamation 1172, (2006) declares 25 November to 12 December of every year as the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).” The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), with the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC), lead the observance of the 18-Day Campaign.

For the period 2016-2021, the campaign theme is: “VAW-free community starts with me.” The said campaign highlights the global and national efforts of safeguarding the human rights of women and girls by addressing gender-based violence. This year, the 18-Day Campaign emphasizes the roles of barangays, being the first line of response for VAW survivors, through the Barangay VAW Desks. The PCW aims to strengthen and build competencies of Barangay VAW Desks to solidify its contribution to a VAW-free community. Aside from the contribution of the barangays, the campaign reiterates the entire general public’s personal commitment to end violence against women and children.

To end VAW, the PCW enumerates the following actions:

• Women and girls to empower themselves and be aware of their rights, to speak out and report in cases where the said rights are violated, and to enjoin others to defend and fight for their rights.

• Men and boys are to respect women and girls, to join groups that promote anti-VAW advocacies, and to advice known perpetrators to seek help and join the anti-VAW movement.

• Government agencies are to capacitate its organization for improved service delivery, develop monitoring and evaluation scheme to assess the service provided to clients, and to promote services being offered—that government offices are facilities that they can turn to and trust.

• Barangays are reminded to have functional Barangay VAW Desks, establish action desks that workers and clients can go to, establish linkages for better referral for VAW cases, achieve a harmonious and VAW-free community, support anti-VAW efforts of the government and community, and to make sure that the workplace in the barangay is VAW-free.

• Academe and Training Institutions are enjoined to include VAW and women’s rights in lesson guides for teachers, conduct anti-VAW activities and setup a committee where employees and students can turn to for help.

Achieving a VAW free community starts with each person’s conscious efforts to uphold the rights of women, including their children. So vouch for a VAW-free community! Vow to end VAW, now! (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)

Any form of violence are encouraged to contact the PNP’s Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) hotlines 0919-777-7377 and 8723-0401 local 5261, and Messenger account @wcpcpnp.

#VAWFreePH

#IVowtoEndVAW

References:

Department of the Interior and Local Government (2020). Observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women. Retrieved from: https://dilg.gov.ph/events/Observance-of-the-18-Day-Campaign-to-End-Violence-Against-Women/697

Philippine Commission on Women (1 October 2020). 2020 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women. Retrieved from: https://pcw.gov.ph/2020-18-day-campaign-to-end-violence-against-women/

Philippine News Agency. (18 June 2020). Palace alarmed over rising cases of violence vs. women, children. Retrieved from: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106320