Violence Against Women in the Philippines

introduction

Women have been subjected to many forms of violence for many years [1]. There are laws in the
Philippines that protect women's rights and ban violence against women. To amplify their call to action in
this situation, the government has organized campaigns and initiatives. Despite this, the Philippines
remains one of the countries with the highest levels of violence against women, according to Michelle J.
Hiden in 2002. Women's violence is on the rise, affecting not just women, their families, and their homes,
but also the economy and productivity of the region and society.

There are contributing factors on the occurrence of violence against women anywhere that can be
observed in everyday life. In the Filipino family context, men are superior over women. According to the
data from the Philippine National Police, the perpetrators of violence against women are commonly
intimate male partners. Cross-cultural studies have cited that male control of wealth and decision-making
within the family and marital conflicts are strong predictors of abuse [2]. Inequalities between men and
women go across public and private phases of life including social, economic, cultural and political rights
and are manifested in restrictions and limitations on women’s freedom, choices and opportunities [3].
Many factors affect violence against women such as family, economic and social. The researchers are
able to identify how these factors can affect and associate violence against women in order to draw a clear
condition of violence against women in the Philippines.

There are many efforts executed to lessen violence against women in the Philippines. The local
government has implemented various laws to protect women; one of these is the Republic Act 9262 or the
Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004. It is a Philippine law for protection of
women and their children in the family. Any act or series of acts committed by any person against a
woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or
dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child, or against her child whether legitimate or
illegitimate, within or without the family abode, which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual,
psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery
assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty is condemned by this law. By
understanding, the various dimensions of this global problem through data collection and analysis of the
factors that attributes to violence against women supported by the data gathered of the Philippine National
Police, government would be able to develop and evaluate measures design to prevent and eliminate this
problem.

This study is anchored to Standpoint theory developed by Sandra Harding and Nancy Hartsock that
focuses on perceptions about gender that concentrate on feminist viewpoint. This theory explains that
there are factors that affect people’s perceptions such as personal experience, tradition and culture,
socioeconomic status in the society, and the basic differences of gender. Women are considered as
marginalized group of people where they adapt and accept perceptions of powerful groups that bring
change in their viewpoint. However, perspectives of a person differ individually but can be similar when
they share same interests and environments with others Thus, the researchers chose professionals’
insights about the phenomenon. Their viewpoint is substantial to show the state of violence against
women in the Philippines through its factors. The theory is important to this study to support the claim
that there are attributing factors why violence against women occurs and it is a continuous societal issue
in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, some realities that contribute to the vulnerability of Filipino women are being accused
as "naggers" or neglectful of their duties. Moreover, an even greater problem is the lack of concrete
information to show the extent of VAW in the country. Many of the victims are ashamed to relate their
experiences.

Violence against women is an outspread societal issue present in different regions of the world Despite
the different countries’ implementation of laws and campaigns, cases of women abuse are constantly on
the rise . Consequently, it is wise to find out and have a handle on the contributing factors why this crime
occurs to provide the favorable solution in lessening or eliminating cases of violence against women.
There are different factors worldwide causative to violence against women according to some studies.
Age, relationship separation, income and foregoing oppression are few of the influencers of violence
against women in Nigeria . On the other hand, the common factors in Bangladesh are age, education,
wealth index, religion and marrying age . Additionally, educations of women, violence witnessing,
husband’s high level of control, vices, religion are the prevalent modifiers of women violence in Ghana .
However, they have something in common namely: these are the age, socioeconomic status, repeat
victimization, culture, pregnancy and termination of relationship . In the Philippines, there are many
factors involved in the presence of cases of violence against women but is not yet clearly identified
Men are more likely to perpetrate violence against women, but that does not rule out women. It reveals
that there are still a significant proportion of women who have perpetrated violence against other women.
However, it ales in comparison to the number of men who sexually abuse women.
Males are always dominating in the Filipino culture.
Filipinos have an ingrained culture that men are superior to women.
Gender inequality can arise as a result of this belief.
Intimate male partners are frequently the perpetrators of violence against women.

In a July 23, 2020, Op-Ed that I wrote, I said that “one of the most insidious consequences of
the pandemic is the rise of gender-based violence (GBV). Children and adolescents, particularly girls,
are confronted with violence and abuse, as a result of prolonged lockdowns.” We recently marked the
intensive 18 Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, a global call to action, and a powerful
reminder that our work to end GBV is unfinished.
For survivors of gender-based violence locked down in their homes with an abuser, the COVID-19
pandemic is only one of the compounding crises that threaten their physical and mental. Even before
this global health crisis, violence against women (VAW) was plaguing 1 out of every 4 Filipinas who
is married or has been married at least once in their lives. We know the incidence and numbers
escalate during disasters, but one can only estimate what impact this might have on the whole country.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimated that there had been a 20 percent increase in
domestic violence globally. A study commissioned by UNFPA approximates that intimate partner
violence will increase by 16 percent in the country. By the end of the year, there will be an estimated
839,000 women who are married or who has been married at least once in their lives who would
experience GBV during this pandemic.
It is our moral responsibility to elevate the plight and needs of GBV survivors even as we talk about
the perils and risks of COVID19. We have growing evidence however that we may be failing
individuals most at risk of GBV during this pandemic. UNFPA’s State of World Population Report
revealed that across the globe, from 2020 to 2030, there could be an additional 13 million girls under
18 who would marry, resulting from the disruption of programs and services, and economic challenges
brought by COVID-19. When parents from low-income families are unable to find jobs, the deepening
poverty bought by the pandemic can push families to consider marrying off their daughters in the
hopes of a better life for their children.
We also know that perpetrators and human traffickers are taking advantage of the economic hardships
of families. In the Philippines, where 73 million Filipinos, or some 67 percent of the population, use
social media, the internet is a platform for cybercriminals preying on women and young people. In
particular, social media provides much room for abusers to engage in sexual exploitation of women
and young people behind closed doors and in front of a webcam. Gender-based online sexual
harassment continues to rise especially targeting young women and girls. Widespread are rape jokes,
rape threats, and other sexist remarks that negatively impact women and girls. It is important to note
that gender-based online sexual harassment* is punishable by law, under RA 11313, or the Safe
Spaces Act.
We cannot sacrifice or endanger vulnerable survivors by rendering them invisible, minimizing, or
denying their pleas for help and assistance. The Commission on Human Rights has received reports
that requests for rescue and assistance from GBV survivors were allegedly dismissed by local duty-
bearers. This despite a series of policy issuances requiring and mandating the continuity of GBV
services – medical management of rape, mental health and psycho-social services, legal services,
safety planning and case management, safety or security services, and/ or residential shelter.

25% of Pinoys Cite Violence

On March 2021, as the world celebrates Women’s Month this March, the Commission on Population and
Development (POPCOM) renewed its call for special protection of Filipino women, especially during the
ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

This, as the POPCOM on Tuesday shared its commissioned survey conducted by the Social Weather
Stations (SWS) which showed that one of four adult Filipinos have said harmful acts in various forms are
among the most pressing problems of women during the present health crisis.

Eleven percent mentioned physical violence as top-of-mind concern while 14 percent cited sexual
violence and emotional violence (7 percent each), the survey said.

In Mindanao, 24 percent of adults shared the same sentiments (11 percent for physical violence, 5 percent
for sexual, and 8 percent for emotional), while it was slightly lower in the Visayas at 22 percent (6
percent physical violence, 11 percent sexual, 5 percent emotional).
SWS said it was higher in Manila at 29 percent (13 percent for physical violence, 7 percent sexual, 9
percent emotional) and the rest of Luzon at 28 percent (13 percent for physical violence, 7 percent sexual,
8 percent emotional).

Per accounts of the Philippine National Police in the yearly Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health report, there were 19,743 recorded cases of Violence Against Women in 2019, or before the
pandemic.

Of the total, 77 percent, or 15,160 cases, were violations under the Anti-Violence Against Women and
Children law, or the intimate partner-relationship category.

The rest fell under other forms of Gender-Based Violence, such as rape (2,341 cases), acts of
lasciviousness (1,953), concubinage (204), and sexual harassment (85).

Popcom Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez III said on Tuesday the Philippines leads the global
community in championing the causes of women, evidenced by its high worldwide ranking in women
empowerment and gender equality.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index places the Philippines at 16th — the only one in
Asia in the top 20 — as the country is performing excellently in closing the gender gap when it comes to
economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political
empowerment.

According to the gathered data of researchers to Philippine National Police, the highest reported cases are
on the January to December 2014. The data shows that the number of cases on violence against women
decreases. There are two kinds of violence against women in the Philippines, the gender related and non-
gender related. Gender-Related violence refers to violence commits to women where there is a violation
of women’s dignity and being. It is also defined by the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination against Women or CEDAW as violence that is directed against a woman because she is a
woman or that affects women disproportionately, it is an issue affecting them because of their gender
Non-gender related violence are those crimes that can be done to other sexes without violating the right of
being a woman but violating the other human rights. As shown in the Table 2, the number of cases are
inconsistently increasing and decreasing. From the total number of rape cases there is 20.15% in 2013,
32.17% in 2014, 32.93% in 2015 and 14.75% in 2016. Incestuous Rape increases in number consistently
throughout 2013 to 2016.

Violence against women (VAW) is any act that troubles and violates women making them endure pain
physically, emotionally, psychologically and mentally as declared by the UN Women along with their
announcement of elimination of VAW. Substantially, women are subject to abuse without considering
their age, income or education . In the analysis of World Health Organization (WHO), London School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Medical Research Council in 2013, 30% of women has experienced
abuse physically and sexually over 80 countries worldwide. Among these countries, 24.6% belongs to
West Pacific region, 37.7% in Southeast Asia and 37% within Eastern Mediterranean area In the
Philippine, violence against women is a wellknown crime that continuously exists even with the laws
implemented by the goverment such as
9262 or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 as reported by the Philippine
Commission on Women (PCW). According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), the number of
women abuse in the country decreased from year 2005 to 2006. However, it increased for about 500% in
the year 2013 as stated in the report of the Philippine National Police (PNP). There are some cases where
the victims and witnesses of the violence do not involve police and related authorities. As a result, there
are no clear and strong established studies providing the current state of violence against women in the
Philippines.

conclusion
I would like emphasize that sexual violence poses an obstacle to peace and security. It impedes women
from participating in peace and democratic processes and in post-conflict reconstruction and
reconciliation. As a tool of war it can become a way of life, once entrenched in the fabric of society, it
lingers long after the guns have fallen silent. Many women lose their health, livelihoods, husbands,
families and support networks as a result of rape. This, in turn, can shatter the structures that anchor
community values, and with that disrupt their transmission to future generations

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