Rape: A privilege of the powerful

The faces of wars have changed. According to estimates, almost 90 percent of the casualties of the modern wars are civilians, the majority of whom are women and children, compared to a century ago when 90 percent of those who lost their lives were military personnel.

Violence against women in conflict zones is often an extension of the gender discrimination that already exists in peacetime. Because of their lack of status within society women are systematically excluded from decision-making opportunities, they are often stereotyped as victims and their experiences and contributions are virtually ignored in conflict zones and in nations emerging from war. Armed conflict also exacerbates gender inequalities that exist in different forms and degrees in all societies, that make women particularly vulnerable when armed conflict breaks out.

This is the reason why the Platform for Action, adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, identified the effects of armed conflict on women as one of 12 critical areas of concern requiring action by governments and the international community, and stressed the need to promote the equal participation of women in conflict resolution at decision-making levels.

In a similar fashion, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was adopted in 2000 by the UN Security Council as a policy framework to strengthen women’s role in peace building. Its most important message is that women are not only victims of violence; they are also a powerful force toward peace building and decision-making on peace and security issues.

Thus, women from all over the Philippines and from the Asia-Pacific Region gathered at Miriam College for the “Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing+15”. Organized by former Sen. Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Miriam College President Patricia “Tattie” Licuanan and Aurora “Oyie” Javate de Dios, head of the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI), the conference was packed with workshops on critical issues that oppress women, especially in the areas of conflict: Violence, poverty, armed conflict, marginalization, women’s rights as human rights, the marketing of women as migrant workers and the cost on their health and their families, and much more. Violence against women was a priority.

Four United Nations Conferences on Women (Mexico in 1975, Copenhagen in 1980, Nairobi in 1985 and Beijing in 1995) have resulted in many victories, including the elevation of violence against women to the level of public policy and success in treating women’s rights as human rights. Unfortunately, the gaps remain, yawning chasms that swallow women whole. Take a close look at what is happening to women in the conflict areas of Mindanao, since rule of law has been absent in the areas of conflict for years now.

Violence against women is on the rise. In Jolo, Sulu, women’s groups led by Bansag Babai and the Muslim Women Peace Advocates convened a meeting which led to a rally to protest the drastic increase of abduction, rape and rape-slay cases of young girls and women over the past year. Civil society, religious leaders and the academe participated. Sources say that dozens of young girls and women (age 12 to 80) have been raped over the past 2 years. Many have been gang-raped. In many cases, the suspected assailants seem to be known and linked to powerful leaders. Worse, the suspects are said to be responsible for “serial rapes”: the same group gang-raping a score of victims.

In February, President Gloria Arroyo directed the PNP to bring to justice the perpetrators of the rape-slay of a 16-year-old girl in Antique province. According to Press Secretary Remonde, “The President has already personally instructed PNP Chief Director Jesus Verzosa to attend to the case with dispatch. The perpetrator or perpetrators must be put behind bars and suffer the consequences of their evil deeds.” A presidential directive over the rape-slay of one 16-year-old girl in Antique. But silence over the gang-rapes of scores of young girls and women in Sulu, some still missing and feared dead.

The local Jolo police and municipal government officials refused to acknowledge the rapes, referring to the cases as “hearsay.” Dozens of “hearsays”? Why on earth will young girls make up such a story and report it? Governor Sakur Tan, who met with the protesters, agreed to investigate. PNP Chief Director Verzosa has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to look into the alleged rape cases that occurred in Sulu.

The SITG shall be headed by the recently appointed ARMM Regional Police Chief Superintendent Faisal Ampao Umpa, who immediately stated that all legal actions have been made to address the incidents, contrary to the demand of the Jolo community for the police and government to do their jobs.

In many areas of conflict, the rape of women has been used as a weapon against the enemy. In this country, if the enraged community leaders of Sulu are to be believed, rape of young girls and women seems to be a privilege of the powerful. –Amina Rasul, Manila Times

aminarasul@yahoo.com