Hustisya para sa Pagdurusa ng mga Biktima ng Karahasan Laban sa Kababaihan

    Every 3 out of 10 women worldwide have endured the devastating reality of physical or sexual violence, a stark reminder that it's time to break the silence and confront the global crisis of violence against women. In the Philippines, the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey found that almost one in five women experience sexual, physical, or emotional abuse at the hands of their intimate partners. The lived experiences of multiple individuals whose voices must be heard are represented by these figures, which go beyond simple statistics.

    Not only do victims of violence against women suffer, but their communities and societies are also influenced. In order to address this issue, laws like the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. 9262) are essential because they protect survivors and provide them with justice while also raising awareness and encouraging accountability. Unwavering dedication to creating safe spaces and enabling women to recover their rights and dignity is necessary to address this crisis.

    One of the most urgent social problems in the Philippines continues to be violence against women (VAW). 17.5% of Filipino women between the ages of 15 and 49 report having been the victims of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse at the hands of their intimate partners, according to the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). With 1,791 rape cases, 1,505 acts of lasciviousness, and 8,399 physical violence cases recorded in 2021 alone, the statistics are truly concerning. These figures, however, only scratch the surface because of a widespread "culture of silence," which prevents many cases from being reported. Women tend to keep quiet out of shame, fear, or a lack of faith in the legal system, which allows the cycle of violence to continue uncontrolled.

    VAW has a profound effect on families and communities in addition to its individual victims. Women suffer terrible consequences that range from physical injury to severe emotional and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Families suffer because VAW fosters an environment of instability and fear, and children frequently carry the emotional scars of seeing such violence, which may result in behavioral problems and a higher chance of experiencing or committing acts of violence in the future. Communities experience social and economic instability on a larger scale. Women who experience violence might find it difficult to enter the workforce, and the nation spends billions of dollars every year on dealing with the fallout, which includes medical care, counseling, and legal actions.

    The progression of VAW emphasizes how urgently we must act as a team. Society must address the underlying causes by opposing damaging gender norms, advancing equality, and making sure that strong systems are in place to protect women and hold offenders accountable, in addition to providing support to individual survivors. Ending VAW is crucial for building stronger communities, healthier families, and a more peaceful society—it is not just about justice for individuals.

    The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. 9262) includes provisions for economic, psychological, sexual, and physical abuse. Sexual violence encompasses acts such as sexual harassment and rape, whereas physical violence involves bodily harm or the threat of harm. Emotional abuse, threats, and dominating actions are examples of psychological violence, while economic abuse aims to control or isolate the woman financially. By offering legal protections like the ability to file criminal complaints and apply for protection orders (Barangay Protection Orders, Temporary, and Permanent Protection Orders), this law empowers women. It protects victims' rights to child custody and safety, and it punishes violators with fines as well as jail time. R.A. 9262 provides victims with assistance and legal options to leave abusive relationships, safeguarding their well-being and that of their children.

    The Anti-Rape Law of 1997, Republic Act 8353, radically reinterprets rape as a crime against a person rather than merely a violation of virginity. It broadens the definition to encompass sexual assault involving any object or body part as well as acts carried out by compulsion, threat, or force. Anyone with knowledge of the crime can now prosecute someone for rape, even if the victim withdraws or pardons the perpetrator. Marital rape is also recognized by the law and carries harsh penalties, such as reclusion perpetua (20 to 40 years imprisonment). By raising the legal age of sexual consent to 16, the 2022 amendment (R.A. 11648) strengthens safeguards against sexual exploitation of minors.

    The Safe Spaces Act of 2019, also known as Republic Act 11313, addresses gender-based sexual harassment in public places, workplaces, online settings, and educational or training facilities. It expands what constitutes to sexual harassment including lewd remarks, stalking, wolf-whistling, catcalling, and online harassment like cyberstalking and sharing explicit content without permission. In order to guarantee that people of all genders can freely move through public areas without worrying about harassment, the law defines important terms like gender-based harassment, gender identity, and public spaces. Public officials, educational institutions, and employers are also required to develop preventative measures and hold offenders accountable. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, offenders may face fines or jail time, which promotes safer environments for women and other marginalized genders.

    Education is essential for raising awareness of laws that protect women, like the R.A. 9262 as well as other relevant laws. We enable people to take action against violence by educating them about their legal rights and remedies. Since both individuals and organizations can provide resources, support victims, and execute campaigns to increase awareness of violence against women (VAW), community involvement is equally important. By uniting, we present a unified front against this problem. In order to provide victims with prompt justice and discourage future offenders, the government and law enforcement must also make sure that these laws are implemented effectively.

    Making a difference requires taking part in the 18-day campaign against VAW. Everyone can help combat gender-based violence by raising awareness, offering support to survivors, and pushing for reform. To make sure victims get the assistance they require, distribute resources like hotlines, counseling services, and legal aid. By working together, we can establish a culture that values and protects women. Involving everyone is essential to putting an end to violence and creating a society that is less dangerous and more.

    To sum up, in order to protect women and combat violence against them, R.A. 9262 and other relevant laws are essential. Ending VAW requires a shared responsibility at the legal, social, and personal levels in addition to legislative changes. We can all live in a safer and more risk-free society if we band together, help victims, and advance education.

References:

Philippine Commission on Women. (n.d.). Violence against women. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://pcw.gov.ph/violence-against-women/

  World Health Organization. (n.d.). Violence against women. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women

  Philippine Commission on Women. (n.d.). FAQ: RA 8353 – An act expanding the definition of the crime of rape. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://pcw.gov.ph/faq-ra-8353-an-act-expanding-the-definition-of-crime-and-rape/

Situation of Children. (n.d.). Republic Act No. 11648: An act raising the age of sexual consent. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://situationofchildren.org/latest-evidence/all-reports/publication/republic-act-no-11648-act-raising-age-sexual-consent#:~:text=11648%20increases%20the%20age%20of,below%2016%2C%20regardless%20of%20consent.

Supreme Court of the Philippines. (n.d.). Republic Act No. 11648: An Act raising the age of sexual consent. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/94255

Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. (2019, April 17). Republic Act No. 11313: Safe spaces act. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/ra_11313_2019.html

Redirect Notice. (n.d.-w). COVID-19 and violence against women: What the data tells us. UN Women.

 Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2021/11/covid-19-and-violence-against-women-what-the-data-tells-us

Council of Europe. (n.d.). Feminism and women’s rights movements. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/gender-matters/feminism-and-women-s-rights-movements

OpenGlobalRights. (n.d.). The forgotten origins of women’s rights are human rights. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.openglobalrights.org/the-forgotten-origins-of-womens-rights-are-human-rights/

  Philippine Information Agency. (2022, December 11). VAWC: Ang isang publikong krimen [Infographic]. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://mirror.pia.gov.ph/infographics/2022/12/11/ang-vawc-ay-isang-publikong-krimen

  AJA Law. (n.d.). Acts of VAWC. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.ajalaw.ph/actsofvawc/

  Philippine Commission on Women. (2019, June 18). 18-day campaign logo [Image]. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://pcw.gov.ph/assets/files/2019/06/18-day-campaign-logo_72-1024x996.png

United Nations. (n.d.). International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Background. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day/background

  Facebook. (n.d.). [Description of the image] [Image]. Facebook. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=584443458855633&id=191809564785693

Gota De Leche. (n.d.). Safe spaces act (Bawal Bastos Law). Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.gotadeleche.ph/safe-spaces-act-bawal-bastos-law/

Just Peace The Hague. (n.d.). International Women's Day. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://justpeacethehague.com/en/theme/international-womens-day