Starting a new decade of advocacy with renewed vigor for a VAW-free country
Philippine Commission on Women’s Message on the 2023 observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women
Year 2022 marked the two-decade participation of the Philippines in the global campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW). This year, as we embark on the annual 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) calls on everyone to take this moment to understand the gravity and complexity of VAW and the urgency of the need to address it.
According to the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority, 1 in 5 women who have ever had an intimate partner have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence by their current or most recent husband/intimate partner. 12% of those women experienced such violence in the 12 months preceding the survey. Hence, the stark reality persists: VAW exists. It impacts not only women themselves but it also reaches into the very heart of families and communities.
Violence Against Women is a grave concern. Its effects encompass a wide spectrum, spanning physical, emotional, psychological, and socio-economic dimensions. Victims of VAW endure serious injuries, short-term and long-term, from bruises and broken bones to migraines and chronic health conditions. Sexual violence can result to sexually transmitted infections and even unintended pregnancies. On the psychological front, VAW victim-survivors frequently grapple with trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, guilt, and shame. VAW can also hinder them from pursuing gainful employment and attaining financial independence. It disrupts the stability of families as its impact extends beyond the woman affected but also to the children who may become trapped in a cycle and are at a higher risk of either perpetrating or experiencing violence in their own relationships in the future.
Violence Against Women is complex. On the surface, it only involves a perpetrator hurting a victim, but tracing its roots will show that it emanates from misogyny, patriarchy, macho culture, and gender inequality. Moreover, it results from the interplay of numerous factors – social status, community, relationship dynamics, power play, family structure, education, and help-seeking behavior. Furthermore, its prevalence and the response to it can be influenced by situations and circumstances, including disasters, armed conflict, and even health emergencies, as what the COVID-19 pandemic taught us.
Despite the gravity and the complexity of the issue, the PCW believes that UNiTEd, we can end VAW. The urgency of this call has never been more apparent, because each delay can mean another girl being raped by someone close to her or a complete stranger, another woman being trafficked into prostitution, another woman being sexualized on social media, another young woman being forced into marriage, another child witnessing VAW in the home, another woman living in fear, wondering if she will ever see the light of a new day. Will we allow VAW to victimize another? Or will we act and put an end to this all together?
Victim-survivors cannot and should not wait anymore and let us not make them. The PCW calls for concrete and strengthened actions to END VAW.
First, let us eradicate harmful gender norms and stereotypes that lead to violence. It is high time that women are seen as equals of men who should not be subjected to pain. Once we eradicate the notions that women are subservient to men, women are weak, women are second class citizens, women are mere objects or commodities, the path towards eliminating VAW becomes clearer. We have said it before and we will say it again, gender equality is the key to a VAW-free community.
Second, we must never tolerate VAW. This means refusing to ignore the plight of VAW victim survivors, rejecting the normalization of VAW, denouncing victim-blaming, and never glorifying perpetrators.
Third, all of us must demand action and accountability. Action by relevant authorities must be prompt, appropriate, adequate, and gender-sensitive. Service providers must ensure the delivery of proper assistance, including immediate and impartial investigation, protection order, counseling, medical, psychosocial, and legal services, among others. While perpetrators must be held accountable and undergo counseling and treatment toward rehabilitation.;
With the passage of the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (RA 9262) turning 20 years in 2024, the PCW celebrates the wins against this grave injustice. In 2004, when the law took effect, only 218 cases were recorded by the Philippine National Police. In the succeeding years, the number gradually increased, with more women knowing and fighting for their rights under the law. In 2022, there were 7,614 cases.
But here is the target: for the number to go down to none because there is no victim anymore. Hence, PCW encourages all agencies, non-government organizations, educational and training institutions, private companies, law enforcement agencies, media institutions, legislators, local government units and barangays, and private stakeholders to join us in reaching this goal. As what the recurring theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines”, entails, let us combine our individual efforts toward this collective thrust that will benefit all.
Aside from RA 9262, the PCW continues to call for the strengthened implementation of the laws against rape (under the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act 8353, Republic Act 11648), laws against sexual harassment (Republic Act 7877 and Republic Act 11313), and laws against Trafficking in Persons (Republic 9208, Republic Act 11862), particularly the new legislations which still need to be made known to the public, including the law Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage (RA 11596), and the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law (RA 11930).
Ending all these forms of violence against women is crucial for national development as it ensures that women, who comprise half of the country’s population, can fully participate in economic, social, and political activities, contributing to a more robust and equitable society. Hence, let us create a safe and empowering environment for women as we strive for sustainable progress for the nation.
Let us remember that our collective strength is a force that knows no bounds and our shared determination can break the chains of VAW. UNiTEd, we will challenge and dismantle the oppression, stereotypes, and silence that perpetuate VAW. Let us stand resolute and unfazed until the day when Violence Against Women is but a dark chapter in history, never to be written again. Para sa Bagong Pilipinas!
