Ending gender-based violence: Ngayon na ang oras!

Dear friends,

In the lead-up to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov. 25, I would like to share my reflections on how Australia and the Philippines are standing shoulder-to-shoulder to advance gender equality and end gender-based violence.

Globally, the statistics are alarming. Perpetrators are inflicting sexual or physical violence against one in three women and girls during their lifetime.

Our region has some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the world, and my country is not immune. In Australia, one woman was killed every 11 days by a current intimate partner in 2023. One in three women has experienced physical violence and one in five has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

Gender-based violence is also an issue for the Philippines. Nearly one in five women, aged 15 to 49, has experienced physical violence (and this figure is likely higher due to under-reporting).

The effects of gender-based violence are far reaching and have a profound and devastating impact on individuals, communities and countries. It comes at considerable economic cost – the World Bank estimates it to be $1.5 trillion globally each year.

To prevent this type of violence, we must address the root cause: gender inequality. Ending gender-based violence requires us to transform harmful norms and attitudes, tackle gender biases and work towards more equitable societies.

Australia’s experience with addressing gender-based violence has been a long road, and there is much still to do. Australia’s commitment to ending gender-based violence is demonstrated through our “National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-32.” The Australian Government has invested P87.7 billion toward achieving the outcomes of the National Plan across 2023-24, covering prevention, intervention, response and recovery. Key initiatives include: financial support for people fleeing violent relationships; crisis and transitional housing; a new entitlement of 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave and strengthening information flows between the family law courts, child protection and policing agencies.

The Philippines is also demonstrating leadership in proactively tackling gender-based violence. I am particularly excited about the Philippines’ forthcoming “National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women,” which will be the roadmap towards eliminating violence against women in this country. The Philippines is investing in addressing gender-based violence, through the Women and Children Protection Units, facilities and protection centers, Violence Against Women hotlines and the work of social welfare offices in supporting victim-survivors. These interventions provide critical support.

Australia will continue to be a staunch supporter of the Philippines in promoting gender equality and reducing gender-based violence. Last month, we jointly launched the Australia-Philippines Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 with the Secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ms. Jan Adams AO PSM and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The “DPP” is a strategic blueprint for our development cooperation over the next five years, and highlights gender equality as a key priority across our development programs.

I’m also pleased to share that we will shortly be launching a new program with the Philippines, “Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender Equality” (SPRING). SPRING will invest P1.5 billion to help strengthen the Philippine Government’s social protection and gender budgeting and mainstreaming systems, with a particular focus on poverty reduction and ending gender-based violence and adolescent pregnancy. We also partner with the United Nations Population Fund to provide supplies during humanitarian emergencies, particularly for gender-based violence services and sexual and reproductive health. Australia is also mobilizing a new initiative, the “Southeast Asia Gender-based Violence Prevention Platform,” to improve collaboration for the prevention of gender-based violence across Southeast Asia.

As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov. 25, Australia stands ready to continue our crucial work with the Philippines on gender equality and ending gender-based violence. To echo the Philippine Commission on Women’s call to action during this 2024 campaign: VAW Bigyang Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras! (End Violence Against Women, the time is now!)

If you are in the Philippines, and if you, or someone you know, is experiencing abuse, you can call 911, a free and 24/7 hotline for rescue or referral to services.

*      *      *

HK Yu is the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @AusAmbPH.