Violence vs women slammed

MANILA, Philippines - On the observance of the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women yesterday, women’s groups slammed the rape and killing of women in the Maguindanao carnage.

The day that was supposed to be marked with milestones in efforts to eliminate violence against women turned into a day of indignation and grief as women’s organizations scored the gruesome Maguindanao massacre, where scores of women were not only reportedly raped but also brutally killed.

The Gabriela Women’s Party-list (GWP) denounced the election-linked mass murders in a village on the outskirts of Ampatuan town and sent its “strongest condemnation” over the alleged rape and killing of at least 20 women, including lawyer Connie Brizuela of Gabriela-Davao, who joined the convoy of Genalyn Mangudadatu early Monday going to Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy (COC) of her husband, Buluan Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu when they were stopped by some 100 heavily armed men, taken hostage and then slaughtered on a remote highway in Barangay Salman.

“Gangster-ism and warlord-ism all over the country that have caused such gruesome and barbaric acts executed towards our brothers and sisters in Maguindanao, must end in the soonest possible time if we do not want to witness more violence as the election fever further heats up in the days to come,’ said Sheila Ferrer, third nominee and secretary-general of GWP in the National Capital Region.

Gabriela launched a caravan yesterday to show their indignation over continued violence against women, especially in the wake of the violent incident in Maguindanao.

“The government should immediately conduct determined investigation that must resolve and prosecute culprits and masterminds of this most dreadful act of violence, especially against women, lawyers and media men. Such probe must be fair and impartial, considering that the primary suspect, Datu Unsay Mayor Ampatuan, is a known staunch ally and supporter of President Arroyo,” Ferrer said.

The GWP stressed that for the longest time, women suffer most from violence, abuse and exploitation. It claimed that far worse than what it calls “state-initiated brutality against women,” the rising number of gender-based violence has become alarming due to the sharp rise of cases of sexual and domestic abuses.

The GWP believed that the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act (Republic Act 9262), since its passage five years ago, “failed in addressing and resolving abuses of women and children victims.”

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), formerly known as the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, recognized yesterday the Outstanding Violence Against Women-Responsive Local Government Units and recipients of the Gender Justice Awards II in Quezon City.

The activity marks the kickoff of the country’s 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women in step with the worldwide commemoration of the 16-day Activism to End Violence Against Women.

The yearlong search resulted in the selection of Naga City as the Outstanding Violence Against Women-Responsive Local Government Unit, besting 11 other cities nationwide. Naga City was recognized for being the first city to file a Protection Order and a case of incestuous rape, where the perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. 

Meanwhile, Sandiganbayan Associate Justices Efren dela Cruz and Norberto Geraldez, and retired associate justice Godofredo Legaspi; Mandaue City regional trial court Judge Marilyn Yap; Digos City regional trial court Judge Albert Axalan; and Caloocan City regional trial court Executive Judge Victoria Isabel Paredes are the recipients of the Gender Justice Awards II.

They were cited for their gender-sensitive decision on violence against women cases in the Sandiganbayan and local courts.

UN calls for more women in RP gov’t

In the run-up to next year’s general elections, the United Nations yesterday pressed for more women in Philippine politics and government.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said the participation of more Filipino women in politics and governance is essential in promoting women empowerment in the country.

“Although Filipino women have higher voter turnout rates, and some of them are winning in elections, they still continue to have little participation and influence in politics and governance,” UNDP said while noting that gender mainstreaming must come hand-in-hand with increasing the numbers of women in decision-making processes and the quality of their participation.

The UNDP actively works with the Philippine government in advocating for change through programs that are in line with the national goals of women’s empowerment and gender equality as articulated in national policies and plans. 

In commemorating International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women yesterday, they also called on governments worldwide, including the Philippines, to intensify the campaign promoting human rights and stop violence against women.

UNDP noted that more groups and individuals, including men and boys, are getting involved in efforts to prevent and address this heinous violation of women’s human rights, yet many women continue to suffer from violence. 

“We must demand accountability for the violations, and take concrete steps to end impunity. We must listen to and support the survivors,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. 

He said the UNDP’s goal is clear –to put an end to these inexcusable crimes, whether it is the use of rape as a weapon of war, domestic violence, sex trafficking, so-called “honor” crimes or female genital mutilation/ cutting. 

The “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women” campaign that the UN chief launched last year calls for all countries to put in place, by the year 2015, strong laws, multi-sectoral action plans, preventive measures, data collection, and systematic efforts to address sexual violence in conflict situations. With Mayen Jaymalin