MANILA — Violence against women can be addressed through combined efforts of government, non-government organizations, academe, and the private sector, a senator said Friday.
Senator Loren Legarda urged the public to join the fight against violence against women in
observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women slated Nov. 25.
Legarda, author of various laws on the protection of women, said the fight to stop abuse against women and children is far from over.
“Violence against women is one of the most pervasive human rights abuses in the country despite laws to prevent it,” Legarda said in a press statement.
She added that many victims of abuse still choose not to report it due to lack of awareness about their legal rights.
The senator assured that the Senate has enacted pieces of legislation to protect the rights of women and promote their welfare.
However, the challenge is to effectively implement these laws and educate women on their rights.
“Women around the country should be aware that they are sufficiently protected by the law,” Legarda said.
Philippine laws for the protection of women’s rights include: the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (RA 9262), Anti-Discrimination Against Women Act (RA 6725), Women in Development and Nation Building Act (RA 7192), Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act (RA 8505), Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and its expanded version (RA 10364).
“Violence against women and children is preventable through strengthened awareness, government funding, strict implementation of existing laws and enhanced inter-agency coordination, both at the domestic and international level,” she added.
Legarda, meanwhile, explained that violence against women takes many different forms including the enslavement of women in conflict areas, killing of human rights activists, discrimination in the workplace, emotional abuse, sexual slavery and trafficking of women.
Moreover, she said that women in traditionally acknowledged marginalized groups, including refugees, migrants, minorities, indigenous peoples, and populations affected by conflict and disasters, among others, are more likely to face abuse.
Data from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), one in five women have experienced physical violence since age 15; six in 100 women reported having experienced sexual violence; four percent of women experienced physical violence during pregnancy, but only three of 10 women have sought help to stop the violence.