PCW: Positivize ‘Marites’ culture, report violence against women

“Marites” is often associated with persons who gossip. (Pexels Photo)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on Wednesday urged the public to help combat violence against women (VAW) by reporting cases to authorities.

In a Palace press briefing, PCW chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla said the “Marites” culture may be “positivized” to help in the reporting of VAW cases.

“Marites” is often associated with persons who gossip.

“Ang violence against women is a public crime. So, ‘pag may nakita po kayo na babae na binubugbog sa harap niyo (Violence against women is a public crime. So, when you see a woman being beaten in front of you), you can actually intervene in a way that you will not put yourself in danger,” Valdeavilla said.

“‘Yung mga kapitbahay, ‘yung mga Marites, siguro i-positivize natin, na sa halip na pag-usapan lang nila ang kanilang mga sariling opinyon, tignan din nila kung ano ‘yung mga factors na nagpapalala sa dynamics ng mag-asawa (The neighbors, the Marites, let’s positivize their activity, that instead of just talking about their opinions, they should also look at what are the factors that worsen the dynamics of the couple),” she added.

According to the PCW chief, the agency is pushing for the crafting of protocols in intervening to allow the public to report VAW cases.

Valdeavilla said VAW “remains a global pandemic,” affecting one in three women or an estimated 641 million individuals worldwide.

The 2022 national demographic and health survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that nearly one in five Filipino women have experienced emotional, physical or sexual violence at the hands of their current or most recent intimate partner.

“The men they loved and who vowed to protect them have become women’s primary source of fear,” the PCW chief said.

She noted that reporting of VAW cases remains one of the PCW’s main concerns, especially in cases involving family members.

“Mayroon tayong problema sa pagtatala ng numero. Ang sabi po ng Philippine National Police, isa lamang sa sampung kaso ang naire-report (We have a problem when it comes to reporting. According to the Philippine National Police, only one out of 10 cases are being reported). So, reporting is a problem because this kind of problem is more preferred to be kept in the confines of the family. Nahihiya po sila (They are ashamed to report),” she said.

“‘Yung iba po hindi nagrereport kasi wala po silang tiwala doon sa kanilang pinagrereportan o kaya hindi nila alam ang gagawin nila at ‘di rin nila alam kung ano ang magiging resulta ng kanilang paglapit sa kanilang pagsusumbungan (Some are not reporting because they don’t trust the authorities or they don’t know what to do, and they don’t know the results of their complaints),” she added.

The PCW is leading the annual observance of the national 18-day Campaign to End VAW, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004.