By Dominic I. Sanchez
By Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept 17 (PIA) – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) here is alarmed over the persisting cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially since most of the victims chose not to file formal complaints.
Data from the Philippine National Police–Regional Women and Children Protection Division show that there have been 285 cases of GBVs in Zamboanga Peninsula, from January to June 2021. Included in this number are 217 cases of violence against women and children. The rest of the numbers reflect rape cases some of which involve family members and acts of lasciviousness, and other forms of abuse that include psychological and economic.
“Out of the 217 VAWC cases, only 167 were filed,” reads the 2021 CHR Regional Human Rights Situation Report. “Non-pursuance of the case by victim-survivors is still a major concern.”
Victims don’t file cases
The CHR document explains that the reason why victims choose not to file cases is because they choose to settle the issues amicably and their initial desistance to file a case.
“In cases of economic abuse in relation to support, majority of women only sought for redress such that they and their children will be provided with a reasonable amount of financial support for their sustenance,” the report added. Other reasons are lack of evidence.
Pandemic a contributing factor
The CHR believes that GBV was exacerbated by “women’s dependency on their partners for financial support due to lack of livelihood or insufficient means of support and stigma that may be brought about by the idea of a broken family”.
During the pandemic, most women are confined at home due to lockdowns and are unable to look for livelihood, and forced to stay with their abusive partners, the report adds,
Information as solution to fight GBV
Among several CHR recommendations to address the continuing cases of GBV here is the need to intensify information efforts especially on the rights of women and children. Target audiences must include “men, partners and fathers” who are tagged as the usual perpetrators. Despite the pandemic, the CHR recommends making use of online platforms to get the message across.
The CHR is likewise calling all stakeholders to become a voice for the women and children. “The CHR will continually seek for support from the local government and all other stakeholders and duty bearers to implement the laws protecting women, children, internally displaced persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and senior citizens.” (RVC/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)
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