My parents considered having a boy, yet here I am. Funny you would say, but when I knew why they thought of having a man better than a girl, it was because of the painful past of my mother from her first husband. The abusive relationship leading to the breakup of my mother's first lover led to knowing my father in whom I was born, to be her hated daughter.
Hear me out, she only hates it, not me but how I was born as me, who she knows I can go through the same path as hers. These pasts make up an expectation of the future, which propels us to have wisdom and hope for a world that is better than what it is today.
That girl in the story is standing through your mind, saying, "My stance is this: Who's a man without a woman?"
Situations such as a woman experiencing abuse, exploitation, discrimination, bullying, and other types of inhumanity, either emotionally, physically, mentally, and psychologically, are leading to Violence Against Women, which is a major flashback and social cause, within the country, and within the world. It affects millions and reports. What I'm worrying about is, how about the unreported ones, will they just be able to let it be?
The country’s heartbreak issue is still getting higher day by day with an estimated 18,000 reported victims over the past year. Awareness of this issue is a mission by being part of the constitution. The support system is for women's rights, women who require attention for a cause, their freedom.
Violence Against Women is a widespread social issue not only in the Philippines but globally, with an estimated 1 in 3 women. The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority reveals that nearly 1 out of 5 women have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence by their current or most recent husband or intimate partner. As of 2023, the PNP received 8,055 cases reported under Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.
Many improvements have been made over the years; however, it is much yet to be achieved. The journey toward equality is long and quite challenging. According to the Global Gender Gap 2024 Insight Report by the World Economic Forum, there will still be a very long time before achieving total gender parity, at approximately 134 years. But hope is not lost because every Filipino has the power to help. The Philippines, being the most gender-equal country in Asia and ranking 25th out of 146 economies in this year's Global Gender Gap Index, has been working tirelessly to make gender equality a lived reality to become a VAW-free country.
This can be the answer to all questions for change. One factor of this law is that it can employ aspects and branches to which an assurance is promulgated. Protective to address the needs of society in collaboration with strategic partners. Resolutely magnify governance, wherein it is correlated to the 5th and 16th Sustainable Development Goals of SDG, the Peace, Justice, and Strong Constitution, and Gender Equality achieving a target for the empowerment of all women and girls.
Social media is a way to communicate and entertain, and if it goes further beyond the means, such as the Philippines struggles with the rise of women and child sexual abuse online. Moreover, victims of sexual violence and exploitation online choose not to report it, other children day they don't know what to do during these incidents. The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 is a VAWC law, that supports individuals, especially women, either online or in real life. Let's emphasize this, an increase in the number of online sexual abuse and exploitations in women are mostly inside their homes, sometimes, with family members and relatives as perpetrators.
Now, the RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act) in 2019, or the Bawal Bastos Law in the Philippines is the act that operates for a safer community, either public or in private places. It operates as a combat for sexual harassment as well across domains, occupational, academic institutions, and social media platforms. It also addresses unethical actions like (physically or online) stalking, catcalling, sexual gestures, unwarranted advances, mechanisms, or any wonders or experiences that a woman may feel unsafe or advantaged for having no permission. Furthermore, it mandates preventative protocols within infrastructures and education processes; to foster a much more detailed and inclusive society that's harassment and discrimination-free environment.
These laws, and even more not mentioned, are the foundation of women's preparation.
We don't need to overthink, but I want you to wonder, what are we fighting for, again? Don't let this violence work.
.png)
.jpg)
