Abalos seeks protection for women, girls vs gender-based violence

DILG SEC. ABALOS (File photo dated January 4, 2023, from INQUIRER  / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines – Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Thursday called on Filipinos to fight for the protection of women and young girls from violence.

“Let us focus on the government’s advocacy of protecting the human rights of women and girls by addressing all forms of gender-based violence,” Abalos said in a statement.

Abalos’ message comes as the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) holds an 18-day Campaign to End Violence against Women and Children (VAWC).

PCW is an attached Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) agency.

United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women defines gender-based violence as “any violence inflicted against women because of their sex.”

The DILG Chief also emphasized that the campaign is a non-partisan activity as he discouraged using PCW-produced materials for political gains, favors, and grandstanding.

“Let us maintain the significance and integrity of the campaign,” he said.

Presidential Proclamation 1172, series of 2006, designates November 25 to December 12 as the annual 18-day VAWC campaign.

This year’s Violence Against Women (VAW) campaign adopts the theme, “UNITEd for a VAW-free Philippines.”

This initiative is aligned with the UN Women Campaign titled, ‘UNITE by 2030 to End VAW,’ which started in 2022 and will end in 2027.

“The 18-day campaign to End VAW supports the Philippine government’s goal of protecting the human rights of women and girls by upholding its commitment to address all forms of gender-based violence as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution,” PCW stated on its website.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show in 2022, eight percent of women (one in five) aged 15-49 have experienced forms of physical, sexual, or emotional violence.

Violence was committed by their current or most recent husband or intimate partner.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said globally, 30 percent (one in three) of women had been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.

The offenses were perpetrated by a spouse, or an intimate partner, or a non-sexual partner.