Women at greater risk for violence at home – WHO

MANILA, Philippines – Women and girls from countries in the Western Pacific Region, including the Philippines, are at a greater risk of falling victim to domestic violence inflicted by someone familiar to them, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday.

WHO said violence affects women and girls in epidemic proportion across the region, with a severe impact on their health and wellbeing.

In marking yesterday’s International Women’s Day, the global health agency called on the Philippines and other governments in the region to intensify efforts to prevent violence against women and girls.

“Efforts to stop violence against women and calls for greater actions must be sustained. We must ensure that gender equality is upheld so women and girls can achieve the highest standard of health,” WHO Western Pacific regional director Shin Young-soo said.

The official said there is a need to empower women and girls, noting violence committed against them is rooted in gender inequality.

He said Western Pacific Region member-states are taking steps to promote gender equality and respond to gender-based violence, in collaboration with WHO and its partners.

Shin said more could be done and WHO is ready to support member-states in raising awareness on the health and social consequences of gender-based violence.

Women protection sought

A group of women workers took to the streets yesterday to pressure candidates in the May elections to include women protection in their agenda.

Women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) said past and present administrations failed to address problems affecting Filipinas.

“The agony of having to endure physical and emotional violence, and deprivation due to economic marginalization are problems unique to women. These problems should have long been addressed by past and present administrations,” PM secretary general Judy Ann Miranda said. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Pia Lee-Brago, Michelle Zoleta, Ding Cervantes, Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)