Capitol sponsors lecture-forum on 'Winning the Battle Against Violence on Women and Children'
The Iloilo Provincial Government through the Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO) sponsored lately a lecture-forum on 'Winning the Battle Against Violence on Women and Children' held at the New Capitol's Conference Room.
This was in connection with the 16-day campaign for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children, which started Nov. 25 and will end on Dec. 10.
The theme of this year's campaign is 'Karapatan ng Kababaihan, PAGTIBAYIN! Paggalang ng Kalalakihan, PAG-IBAYUHIN! Batas Laban sa Karahasan, PAIRALIN!
The theme affirms the commitment of the Philippine Government to respect,
protect, promote and fulfill women's human rights in general, and the elimination of VAW, in particular.
It likewise highlights the two major areas that need to be strengthened to end VAW: men's involvement in the advocacy to stop VAW, and the stronger enforcement of anti-VAW related laws, particularly the Anti-Rape Act (RA 8353), the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (RA 9262).
The campaign specifically aims to raise awareness of the Local Government Units re: their specific roles in the implementation of RA 8353, RA 9262 and RA 9208; share information on the implementation of government programs addressing VAW; and encourage the participation of men to stop violence in the home, workplace and community.
To explain further the content of RA 9262, a very vocal lecturer on this new law was invited in the person of Atty. Rowena Guanzon, founding member of Gender Watch Coalition.
Guanzon said the new law, Republic Act (RA) 9262 'Anti-Violence Against Women and Children,' defines as 'Any act or series of acts committed by a person against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship or with whom he has a common child; against her child/child under her care; with result or is likely to result in physical, sexual , psychological harm or suffering or economic abuse including threats of such act; and battery assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
She said further the law applies not only to married women, but also to co-habiting partners, lovers, beaus and suitors. It affords immediate protection to women and their children.
The law has both a civil and criminal aspect. Though a civil case can only thrive for as long as the victim pursues the case, a criminal case pits the people of the Republic of the Philippines versus the accused. This is important, given that many victims are threatened, manipulated and harmed for them to waive charges.
Guanzon explained 'RA 9262 addresses the mortal danger an abusive spouse presents and the immediate need to protect a woman and her children. Under the law, a woman can apply for a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) to the court or to her local barangay. TPOs filed with the barangay are good for 15 days and are nonextensible. TPOs filed with the court are good for 30 days and are extendibles.'
She said further RA 9262 addresses a woman and her children's need for abode and sustenance. Under the TPO, she can reside in her own house and have her spouse kept away, regardless of property ownership.
Guanzon explained further RA 9262 addresses the tactics abusive spouses to dissuade women from pursuing their legal rights. Under the PPO, the accused is to post a bond to keep the peace. Should the accused threaten, harass or harm the woman or her children, the money deposited to the court is forfeit.
For legal advice and concern one can reach Atty. Guanzon through her email add: rowena.guanzon@gmail.com or one may log on to weblog.rbing.i.ph.
On the other hand, Ms. Belen Villar, Gender Focal Person, United Nation Resident Coordinator's Office tackled the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.
Meanwhile, in a survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) in November 2003 revealed that 2.16 million females, 18 years old and above, were physically harmed; majority of them were inflicted by either the woman's husband, boyfriend, or live-in partner.
Some 12 percent of the respondents or 2.8 million men admitted having physically harmed someone - wives, girlfriends, live-in partners.
Of the women physically harmed by their husbands, two-thirds have been hurt more than once, while the remaining one-third can no longer remember the number of time they have been abused.
This lecture-forum was also jointly sponsored by the Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Center.
(Capitol News)