A home is a place where everyone should feel safe.
But for many women young and old, staying at home poses another threat.
In the Philippines, the National Demographic Health Survey 2017 released by the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that one in four Filipino women has experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence from their husband or partner. Forty percent of the perpetrators were the victim’s current husband or partner, 27 percent the former husband or partner, and 8.9 percent by other relatives.
The numbers have risen since the COVID-19 lockdowns began, and as the pandemic continues, the numbers are likely to grow.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that before the pandemic began, the city’s women and children’s desk receives around five complaints of domestic abuse per week. Now, the number has risen to at least 12.
According to data from the Philippine National Police, an average of eight people a day have fallen victim to sexual assault in the country during the community quarantine.
Even the World Health Organization has reported that violence against women has increased during the pandemic because couples are spending more time together at home, with stress, loss of job, and health fears seen as factors.
Another report revealed that in the previous 12 months, 243 million women and girls aged 15 to 49 across the world have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner.
UN Women, an entity of the United Nations, reported that across the world, one in three women experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetimes. It revealed that the global cost of violence against women was $1.5 trillion in 2016, and in the European Union, the cost of domestic violence against women to the economy is estimated at 228 billion euros a year.
Unfortunately, many cases remain unreported. It is said that less than 40 percent of women who experience violence seek help or report the crime, while less than 10 percent seeking help go to the police.
According to Danna Aduna of Lunas Collective, government data show that the number of cases of gender-based violence or GBV and abuse reported to authorities declined during the first month and a half of COVID-19 lockdown measures and this may be because the quarantine makes it more difficult, if not impossible, for a victim-survivor to report crimes done against them.
Meanwhile, the UN Women’s report noted that being confined and isolated during a lockdown, along with added stresses, tension, and financial insecurity, may exacerbate abuse, adding that working remotely during the pandemic has made reporting and seeking help even harder, particularly if a survivor is unable to leave the house to go to work or carry out other routine tasks. In fact, simply making a call privately may be impossible for some, it said.
The same report warned that these issues are expected to remain even when the lockdowns are lifted, especially since remote working is likely to be a common feature of the future world of work.
To address some of these problems, a campaign called FamiLigtas was recently launched to build awareness among women, children, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals, as well as the public, about GBV within the family and in the home.
FamiLigtas, which works closely with Lunas Collective and is supported by USAID, offers psycho-social support and appropriate information for authorities and health facilities, and encourages help-seeking behavior by promoting other support systems in place within their local communities.
DDB Phils soars high
Gil Chua, group chairman and chief executive officer of DDB Group Philippines, was named Smart Enterprise Global Filipino Executive of the Year during the recent Asia CEO Awards ceremonies, together with four other Filipino CEOs for their “unparalleled leadership and vision that led to the success of their company, as well as contribute to nation-building.” DDB Group Phils was also chosen as the Teletech Diversity Company of the Year and the Multisys Technologies Corporation Executive Leadership Team of the Year Circle of Excellence Award from the same awards body.
Earlier, company chief culture officer Anna Chua-Norbert became the first Filipino to win the “Diversity Champion” title from Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Women Leading Change Awards, which recognizes women in Asia for their outstanding leadership, achievement, and innovation in the media and marketing industry. In 2019, DDB Group Phils. and its PR solutions arm Ripple8, won the Agency of the Year title for the second consecutive year during the 17th Philippine Quill Awards. Meanwhile, during the 55th Anvil Awards, the Department of Tourism’s refreshed version of the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign won gold under the Multimedia/Digital Tool, Website Category. The revamped website was designed by DDB Group Phils. unit Tribal Worldwide Philippines.
Not so hidden agenda
Turnover ceremony: The Manila Yacht Club has a new leadership, led by incoming Commodore Francisco Garcia (second from left) who is shown with outgoing Commodore Robert Lim Joseph Jr. (third from left) after simple turnover ceremonies. Also in photo are past commodores Juan Marcos Arellano Jr. (left) and Ildefonso Tronqued (right). Outgoing Commodore Joseph served the club for two years, with the cleanup of the Manila Bay as one of MYC’s accomplishments during his term.
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