Anti-VAW campaign gets boost

By JOSEPH JOHN J PEREZ

LEGAZPI CITY: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Bicol intensifies its campaign in fair treatment of women in workplaces particularly government institutions demonstrating full support to the 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW).

In an interview during the Ugnayan sa Bikol radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Bicol, CSC Bicol information officer Lyn Niebla said that the commission is giving its full support to the VAW campaign that began on Nov 25 in observance of the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children and ended on Dec 12, which is known as the Anti-Trafficking of Persons Day.

In 2006, the campaign was extended to 18 days through Presidential Proclamation 1172.

This year, the country’s commitment to the observance was strengthened as President Benigno S Aquino III signed Republic Act 10398 declaring November 25 of every year as the “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children”.

 “The law also raises the standard by which the campaign is observed by mandating key agencies to undertake activities designed to raise public awareness on VAW,” Niebla said.

This year’s theme, “End VAW Now! It’s Our Duty!” is a call to stress the importance of having a functional mechanism, a competent and capable implementer with a sense of responsibility and accountability based on a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of gender-based violence and the provisions of VAW laws, Niebla told the PIA.

The 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that one in five women aged 15-49 experienced physical violence since age 15.

It added that four percent of women who have ever been pregnant have experienced physical violence during pregnancy.

It also revealed that women with higher levels of education and those from wealthier households are less likely to report having experienced physical violence.

The survey also reported that one-fifth or 18% of women who have ever been married have experienced physical or sexual abuse by a husband. Pushing, shaking, and slapping, according to the survey, are the most commonly reported forms of physical violence.

According to NDHS, Women from the poorest households are most likely to experience physical or sexual violence by their spouse. Almost half or 49% of women whose husbands get drunk very often report that they are victims of physical or sexual violence.

From January to September2013, the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) documented a total of 11,158 violations of Republic Act (RA) 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (VAWC) nationwide.

Among the four VAWC categories, physical abuse tops the rank with 5, 728 (57%) reported cases.

It is followed by psychological abuse with 2,031 (20%) economic abuse with 1,483 (15%), and sexual abuse with 743 (7%) reported cases.

Among the 16 regions excluding ARMM, Region VII (Central Visayas) is the number one region with the most number of reported VAWC cases at 2,762 (28%). Region VI (Western Visayas) comes in second with 1,704 (17%), followed by Region XI (Davao Region) in third with 1,123 (11%).

This can mean that women in these regions have become more courageous in reporting abuses to authorities.

The least number of reported VAWC cases for the same period was recorded in Region 11 (Cagayan Valley) with 318 (3%) cases only. It is followed by Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) with 490 (5%) cases and Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN). -- PIA5-Albay