EDITORIAL — Eliminating violence against women

It’s been 30 years since the United Nations General Assembly issued the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. As the international day for the elimination of this type of violence is marked today, the UN reports that violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world.

The UN estimates that worldwide, 736 million women have suffered physical, psychological or sexual violence at the hands of intimate partners or non-partners at least once in their life. “This scourge has intensified in different settings, including the workplace and online spaces, and has been exacerbated by post-pandemic effects, conflicts and climate change,” the UN declared as it kicks off today the UNiTE campaign to prevent violence against women and girls. The 16-day activism culminates on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day.

In the Philippines, there has been some progress in protecting women against various forms of harassment including catcalling. Republic Act 9262 – the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004 – contains some of the toughest provisions against domestic violence including emotional, psychological, physical and sexual. The victim can be a wife, ex-wife or her child, or any woman with whom the offender has a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a child.

Despite the tough provisions in the law, domestic violence continues in the country, across all income groups. As the UN reported, the offense remains largely unreported worldwide “due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.” Even educated, financially independent Filipino women who are fully aware of the protection provided under RA 9262 hesitate to report violence inflicted by their husband, partner or boyfriend. There is confusion surrounding what constitutes marital rape and forced sexual acts.

These days, women also suffer from cyber harassment. Filipino women who seek jobs overseas may still end up being trafficked for sex or forced labor. In certain countries, female genital mutilation and child marriage persist. Young girls are deprived of formal schooling while older girls suffer restricted access to higher education and job opportunities.

The UN points out that among the most vulnerable women are migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, women and girls living with HIV and disabilities as well as those who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex. Thirty years have seen some progress in minimizing violence against women and girls, but much work still lies ahead.