CMDI supports campaign to end violence against women

Threatened, frightened, neglected, and abused – these are being experienced by women and children. In different places, races, faces, and stages of life, women and children may encounter bullying, human trafficking, rape, discrimination, harrassment, unwanted touching, forced prostitution, cybersex, forced labor, and cruelty in all its forms –even the home is an unsafe place.

Now, violence against women is seen as a critical public health and an alarming human rights issue. Activism from women’s group paved the way to fight violence against women or the so-called “gender-based violence”. To support this advocacy, the Proclamation 1172 or the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW)” is annually conducted from November 25 to December 12. This campaign aims to raise awareness and emphasize that it is indeed a public issue and national concern that must be addressed by the Philippine government to ensure protection and support for women’s rights in accordance with Republic Act 9262 known as the “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004”. This also mandates Republic Act 10398 which declares November 25 of every year as the “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children”. Further, this year’s theme, “VAW-free community starts with Me”, encourages everyone’s active participation to achieve a VAW-free community (Philippine Commission on Women, 2016).

The Gender and Development (GAD) Committee of CARD-MRI Development Institute, Inc. (CMDI), conducted “GAD: Anti-Violence Against Women Seminar” in observance of the said campaign on December 3, 2016 at the CMDI Auditorium, Brgy. Tranca, Bay, Laguna. The seminar aims to boost the awareness of students and staff on the importance of being free from any forms of violence.

According to Dr. Ruby Brion, GAD Director of Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), violence prevails since women are viewed as subordinates and the belief that women have low status in the community- the root causes why women are being dominated and controlled by men. She also cited various national and international cases of violence and emphasized that 60% of women experienced or are continuously experiencing physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological violence. “Have you seen the trending or viral videos of violence? We cannot say that this is only happening in other countries. We cannot deny that this issue is occurring in the Philippines considering our culture,” she added that there is lack of respect for human rights or in this case, women’s rights.

Dr. Ruby Brion, Gender and Development (GAD) Director of Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), discussed and cited cases of violence experienced by most women. (Photo by Paul Orlan Dumdum)

Moreover, a total of 27,403 cases of RA 9262 violations were reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) from January to September 2016 with18,413 cases of physical abuse; 127 cases of sexual abuse; 6,884 cases of psychological abuse; and 1979 cases of economic abuse according to the PNP’s 2016 Report. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) addressed this disturbing issue and reported that as of September this year, 37,044 out of the 42,029 barangays (88%) have already established their Barangay VAW Desks (cited by Philippine Commission on Women, 2016).

“Awareness is the key to end violence,” said Ms. Gelzen Jamolin, GAD Chairperson of LSPU. She also emphasized that individuals, government agencies, private sectors, public sectors, and the academe are all responsible in attaining a VAW-free community – where everyone is safe, secured, and protected. Thus, a concrete commitment and action is needed to end violence resulting to suicide, depression, teenage pregnancy, fatal death, higher mortality, increase in school drop-out, and other complications affecting women’s well-being.

“It is our advantage to have a seminar like this since we have learned a lot of things regarding violence. Women should be protected. We must take care of ourselves and don’t let other people abuse and violate human rights. Don’t hesitate to report the cases of violence to women’s desk,” expressed Jaizel Gecoloea, senior high school student. Furthermore, according to a college student, Jelly Babes Perez, if an individual is experiencing such abuse, voice it out so that there will be a greater chance to solve the problem and get out of violence. “There should be equality,” she added.

On the other hand, as part of the campaign, the senior high school students showcased their talents in essay-writing, poetry, slogan, and poster-making based on the theme. The winners are: Marinela Hernandez (English essay); Marvin Ogaro (Filipino essay); Mark Selwyn Bacod (English poem); John Roice Juego (Filipino poem); Clark Cury Cuello (English slogan); John Drin Malabanan (Filipino slogan); and Rica Jane Espinosa (Poster-making).

senior high school participants to show their creativity and talent as part of the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW)" — Aside from the seminar, the Gender and Development (GAD) of CARD-MRI Development Institute, Inc., conducted activities that enabled senior high school participants to show their creativity and talent as part of the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW)” with the theme, “VAW-free community starts with Me”. (Photo by Paul Orlan Dumdum)

The Winning Pieces
These are the works of senior high school participants who received awards. From left to right: Clark Cury Cuello (English slogan); Rica Jane Espinosa (Poster-making); and John Drin Malabanan (Filipino slogan).
(Photos by Dianne Ubaldo)

Newsfeature by: Dianne B. Ubaldo