VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, CHILDREN: Enforcement of law in the Visayas weak

CEBU, Philippines – Implementation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 needs to be strengthened further in the Visayas.

This was the finding of the two-day forum conducted by the Women’s Crisis Center at the Cebu Business Hotel last January 28 and 29.

Liza Tumulak, project officer of Lihok Filipina, a local partner of WCC, said the lack of education among victims and “duty bearers” on R.A. 9262 has contributed to the seemingly weak implementation of the law.

Tumulak said the finding will be forwarded to the Presidential Commission on Women who will come up with necessary steps to address the problem.

From 2006, the number of cases involving violence against women rose by 17 percent in the Visayas alone. In the first semester of 2008, the PNP recorded 3,228 cases of violence against women with majority of the cases totaling 1,389 involve spousal abuse.

RA 9262 was passed purposely to provide relief and redress to women and children who are victims of abuse.

The two-day forum was participated in by representatives of different local government units and non-government organizations in the Visayas.

The activity primarily involved data gathering to substantiate issues and concerns related to access and implementation of R.A 9262 and on responses of duty bearers such as barangay officials, court, law enforces and community leaders to issues and concerns related to the law.

Capacity building among women leaders who provide family-based responses and who monitors cases in court was also undertaken.

WCC was established on February 19, 1989 primarily to introduce a radical concept of feminist counseling in the country. It is a non-stock, non profit organization that whose objective is to end violence against women and to work towards a just and humane society. It also served as the first crisis center in the Philippines for women survivors of battering, rape, incest, sexual harassment, prostitution and sex trafficking.

Meanwhile, the Lihok Pilipina Foundation, which is being funded by the city government, initiates rehabilitation programs – depending on the level of needs and protection – among female victims of abuse. The organization provides victims with medicines, food, housing, and even protection for the victims’ children. — Antoniette Parce/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)