Men form group vs violence against women
BORACAY ISLAND—Except for a few policewomen, it was a "for-the-boys" gathering with no women participants or speakers invited.
But this time, around 100 men talked about fighting violence against women (VAW) and how they can prevent other men from abusing women.
The men were participants of the first national congress of the Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (Move) held yesterday simultaneously in Metro Manila, Lucena City (Luzon), Boracay (Visayas) and Davao City (Mindanao).
The Visayas congress held at the Carmela de Boracay Resort here was attended by men from various sectors including government, business and media.
"Men are the usual perpetrators of VAW. We must therefore also be at the forefront in fighting this violence," said Franklin Quimpo, Move-Aklan president.
Initiated by the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) in 2006, Move was formed to encourage men to speak out and to be involve in the fight against VAW.
"I am a husband and a father. We need to be the solution to the problem in which we are the main suspects," said Ruben Jabian of Move-Southern Leyte.
The congress is one of the highlights of this year's commemoration of the 18-day campaign to end VAW. The annual campaign against VAW started on November 25 until December 10.
November 25 is the International Day Against Violence Against Women which was declared in memory of the murders of sisters Patria Mercedes Mirabal, Maria Argentina Minerva Mirabal and Antonia María Teresa Mirabal. They were murdered on November 25, 1960 in the Dominican Republic by armed men believed to be under then-dictator Rafael Trujillo.
VAW is not limited to physical abuse on women but also includes emotional, verbal, psychological , economic and sexual abuses.
Quimpo said their organization has become more significant because of the rising incidence of crimes involving VAW.
"We must help in breaking the culture of machismo through education and networking with other men and women," said Quimpo.
The NCFRW said the number of cases involving VAW rose by 17 percent from 4,881 in 2006 to 5,729 last year, citing statistics of the PNP Women and Children Protection Center.
Sexual harassment was the highest reported type of VAW at 2,387 cases. This was followed by physical injuries and wife battering at 1,892 and rape with 859.
Physical injuries and wife battering is also the highest in a nine-year period from 199-2007 reaching more than half (53.2 percent) of the VAW cases nationwide.
The actual cases are expected to be higher because not all are reported due to the social stigma attached to the cases.
In Aklan, the Aklan Provincial Police Office reported 460 crimes against women and children from January to December this year or an average of of 42 cases monthly.
The highest number of cases was reported in the capital town of Kalibo with 160 followed by Boracay Island with 93.
During the congress, the participants signed and declaration and wore white pins pledging to fight and speak out against VAW.
They also discussed issues related to VAW including prostitution and sexual trafficking.