PCW Unveils New National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women on the 20th Signing Anniversary of the Anti-VAWC Act (RA 9262)

Posted on November 28, 2024

PCW Unveils New National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women on the 20th Signing Anniversary of the Anti-VAWC Act (RA 9262)

The clock is ticking. Now is the time to end Violence Against Women (VAW).

This is the stark wake-up call of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as it kickstarted the annual observance of the national 18-day Campaign to End VAW, coinciding with the 20^th anniversary of the signing of the Republic Act (RA) No. 9262 or the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004. The kick-off event was held on November 25, 2024 at Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA in Quezon City, Philippines.

With support from the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC), chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the 2024 18-day Campaign kick-off serves as a national call to action. It rallies all sectors of Philippine society—government agencies, local government units, women’s rights organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, media entities, and private groups and individuals—to reaffirm their commitment to the advocacy. Internationally recognized as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the campaign amplifies efforts to address violence against women.

While the national campaign remains anchored on the 2022–2027 recurring theme, “UNITED for a VAW-free Philippines”, this year’s herstoric observance has a sub-theme, “VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras!”. The sub-theme focuses on strategic prevention of VAW as a public crime, encourages the proactive participation of victim-survivors who benefitted from the Anti-VAWC Act, and marks the launch of a five-year National Action Plan to End VAW (NAP EVAW).

PH’s national action plan to focus on primary prevention

Through the NAP EVAW, developed in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Philippines is now among the countries (72% in 2021) with a national action plan or policy addressing VAW that is overseen by a national mechanism mandated to monitor and review its implementation.

“The Plan builds on an analysis of the gains and lessons learned from the implementation of the Anti-VAWC Act over the past 20 years. We used findings from research studies, policy documents, accomplishment reports, and previous strategic plans. Additionally, data were drawn from the National Demographic sand Health Survey (NDHS), and VAW cases reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Desks (WCPD) and Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDO). More importantly, we also incorporated the lessons gained by other countries,” PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla revealed, citing Australia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

The NAP EVAW 2025–2030 focuses on three key result areas (KRAs): primary prevention, response systems, and cross cutting structures and actions. It succeeds three strategic plans developed by the IACVAWC to provide a framework for stakeholders in implementing the Anti-VAWC Act, namely, Strategic Plan on Violence Against Women and Children 2017–2022, Synergizing Efforts to End Violence Against Women and Children: The Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children Strategic Action Plan 2014–2016, and Strategic Plan of IACVAWC 2007–2010.

“The previous EVAW strategic plans were anchored on the strengthening of the response system. Those plans prioritized enhancing EVAW mechanisms at regional, provincial, municipal and city levels, both for ending VAW and combatting trafficking. While we recognize the importance of strong response to the healing and recovery of victim-survivors, we also recognize through this new NAP EVAW, the imperative of focusing on prevention,” Chairperson Valdeavilla emphasized.

UNFPA commits to NAP EVAW beyond its development

In addition to having an EVAW Plan, the Philippines is among the 63% of countries with legislation addressing VAW, 37% with rape laws based on lack of consent, 84% with legislation criminalizing marital rape, 92% with laws addressing sexual harassment, and 83% with budgetary commitments to address VAW.¹

Despite these advancements, challenges persist. “Weak enforcement of laws, deeply ingrained discriminatory social norms, and a growing global backlash against gender equality hinder our progress. The normalization of violence against women and girls across various spaces, coupled with the rise of technology-facilitated violence, demands our urgent attention. Impunity remains a grave concern, with alarmingly low rates of prosecution and conviction for perpetrators,” said Dr. Leila S. Joudane, UNFPA’s Country Representative in the Philippines.

In a statement released by the PCW during the 18-day Campaign kick-off, the PNP recorded a total of 11,585 VAW-related cases in its Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) for Calendar Year (CY) 2023. These include 8,055 cases under the Anti-VAWC Act (RA 9262), 2,791 cases under the Anti-Rape Law (RA 8353 as amended by RA 11648), 473 cases under the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), 59 cases under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877), and 207 cases under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208 as amended by RA 11862).

“These persistent and emerging challenges underscore the urgency of this year’s campaign theme: the time to end VAW is NOW. With the clock ticking towards 2030, when the world has committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including the eradication of VAW and GBV, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must intensify our efforts, strengthen our resolve, and work collectively through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches,” Dr. Joudane emphasized, reiterating UNFPA’s continued support for the PCW and all stakeholders in the implementation, resourcing, monitoring, and evaluation of the Plan.

Agencies pledge whole-of-government approach to EVAW

For its part, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), through the Office of the Undersecretary for E-Government, Chief of Staff, Mr. Tirso Raymond S. Gutierrez, introduced a component of the eGovPH app called eReport, which enables users to instantly report crimes—including women abuse—in real time.

With just a few taps on the phone, a witness or a victim-survivor of VAW can report crimes and notify the nearest PNP station (within the 10-kilometer radius), enabling the police to respond immediately and prevent further escalation of incidents. To make the eReport feature more responsive to the needs of women, the DICT vows to work together with PCW.

“This is just part of the overall effort of the national government to adopt the whole-of-government approach. Right now, DICT is very much ready to help you in terms of technology. You can rest assured that in the coming months or even years, we will further advance the women’s approach by using digital technology,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through Officer-in-Charge Assistant Director and Concurrent Chief of the Community Capacity Development Division from the National Barangay Operations Office, Mr. Reynaldo C. Cusi, reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to the advocacy. He reported that 38,981 out of 41,610 or 93.68% assessed barangays have established Barangay VAW Desks with designated Barangay VAW Desk Officers.

“Today, I stand with you in reaffirming our commitment in ensuring that every barangay in our nation becomes a bastion of safety, respect, and dignity especially for women and their children. The Barangay VAW Desk is not just a mechanism. It is a beacon of hope for those who endure unspeakable pain, injustice, violence, and abuse. It is where immediate assistance begins, where survivors find a voice, and where the community demonstrates its resolve to protect its most vulnerable members,” he said.

During the ceremonial affirmation led by PCW Chairperson Valdeavilla, IACVAWC member agencies, other government offices, and everyone present at the kick-off event also pledged their commitment to ending VAW. This came after the heartfelt sharing of a victim-survivor who won a VAWC case against a former intimate partner.

The commitment message reads: “Today, we commit ourselves to contribute in ending Violence Against Women. We pledge to be advocates for change, to speak out against injustice, and to support survivors. We will work together to prevent VAW by challenging harmful stereotypes, promoting gender equality, and promoting a culture of respect. Together, let us ring the alarm against VAW and work towards a VAW-free Philippines. Now is the time to end VAW.”

DSWD presents national VAW situationer, identifies gaps in Anti-VAWC Act

Another highlight from the 18-day Campaign kick-off was the National VAW Situationer, presented by DSWD Assistant Secretary Elaine F. Fallarcuna. The report was based on an in-depth assessment on the implementation of the Anti-VAWC Act.

This assessment identified several gaps and challenges, including the tendency of VAW victim-survivors to settle the case, non-enforcement of Barangay Protection Orders (BPOs), insufficient security measures and budget allocation for responders, as well as issues in the local referral system and in reconciling the implementation of VAW-related laws with customary laws and traditional beliefs and practices. The lack of psychologists or psychiatrists, financial support, and shelters for VAW victim-survivors and their children is also a common challenge.

Additionally, the VAW Situationer revealed a declining trend in VAW cases reported to the PNP from 2019 to 2022 and a significant gap between the reported VAW cases at the barangay level and those that were recorded in the PNP CIRAS in CY 2023. Moreover, data showed that the help-seeking behavior of VAW victim-survivors is low due to such factors as economic dependence, fear of stigma from a broken family, acceptance of violence, and negative perceptions about the services, among other reasons.

Despite these challenges, progress has been made in implementing the Anti-VAWC Act, which is categorized into three KRAs: prevention and advocacy, response systems, and cross-cutting structures and concerns.

While these achievements are commendable, ASec. Fallarcuna underscored the need to further strengthen the implementation of the Anti-VAWC Act. These recommendations include ensuring the integration of VAW-related plans and programs in the Gender and Development (GAD) Plan and Budget, strengthening the monitoring of GAD budget utilization, improving the coordination between and among regional and local VAW mechanisms, organizing VAW victim-survivors into self-help groups and linking them to relevant government agencies, professionalizing the appointment of Barangay VAW Desk Officers, and promoting the establishment of male advocacy groups in all sectors.

“Our work is not over. Our journey to a VAW-free Philippines may be long and bumpy, but if we get our acts together, we will definitely reach our goal,” ASec. Fallarcuna said.

Supporting this call to action, PCW Officer-in-Charge Deputy Executive Director for Management Service and Chief of the Corporate Affairs and Information Resource Management Division, Ms. Honey M. Castro, reminded everyone that the programs and plans addressing VAW are not just documents; they are meant to be implemented and make positive changes to real people’s lives.

“In the next 17 days, let us commit to action. Let us heal and transform ourselves, strengthen families and relationships, and rebuild our homes, communities, and the country. Above all, let us be vigilant in addressing, reporting, and preventing VAW, not just during the 18-day Campaign period, but every day of the year,” she concluded.

The 2024 18-day Campaign kick-off event was also graced with the presence of VAW service providers, who shared their challenges in implementing the Anti-VAWC Act and gave their insights on the need for a multi-sectoral approach in addressing VAW.

Ms. Mary Grace Z. Blando, RSW (Social Welfare Officer IV, Program Management Division, DSWD)
Atty. Arrianne Enriquez (Public Attorney, Field Operations and Statistics Service, PAO)
PLT Vilma G. Labisto (Operations and Plans Chief, AVAWCD, PNP-WCPC)
PLTCOL Herlyn Kristine P. Lazaro (Assistant Chief, WCCPU, PNP-ACG)
Ms. Adelfa R. De Guzman, RSW (Program Director, Saklolo at Gabay ng Ina at Pamilya)

The panel discussion, “Mga Kwento ng Pagbangon at Paglilingkod: Accounts of Survivors and Service Providers”, was led by PCW Officer-in-Charge Deputy Executive Director for Operations and Chief of the Technical Services and Regional Coordination Division, Ms. Nharleen Santos-Millar.

_{^{1 UN Women. GOOD PRACTICES Based on the data under SDG Indicator 5.1.1. (New York: UN Women, 2021), 8, Accessed November 26, 2024,}}https://data.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/modules/sdg-files/localdata/5_1_1_good_practices.pdf.