Gender-based violence remains a “deeply alarming issue” in the Philippines, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said recently.
Such violence has a strong impact on countless individuals, mostly women and children, more so in the digital age.
The precise number of cases is not known owing to the shame and stigma that goes with reporting such violence to authorities.
Last week, the CHR called on all sectors to cooperate in actions against gender-based violence, even as it praised the activation of the ‘AlengPulis with the CyberSquad.’
The helpline of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is dedicated to women and minors who experience abuse, violence, safety concerns, and who need protection and empowerment.
All PNP precincts have personnel specifically tasked with handling cases involving women and children. There is also a growing trend among barangays to have separate offices to handle similar cases.
To ensure the success of the new initiative, the CHR called upon the public to actively support and cooperate with the PNP in its efforts to combat gender-related violence.
In a statement, the CHR said they will “monitor the implementation of this program alongside our continuing investigation and advocacy efforts that seek to address gender-based violence online and offline.”
The commission said gender-based violence continues to be a “deeply alarming issue,” that impacts countless individuals, especially women and minors, particularly in the digital age.
“Our increasingly digital world has unfortunately provided new platforms for abuse and exploitation, which heighten the vulnerability of the aforementioned sectors,” the CHR said.
A group of lawmakers recently pointed out the dire straits faced by countless women in the Philippines’ still male-dominated society.
The Makabayan bloc asked for an investigation in the recent spate of brutal killings of women by their husbands or partners, pointing out that these vile acts highlight the brutality and frequency of gender-related violence.
Three members of the nationalist bloc filed House Resolution number 1096 calling on the House panels on Human Rights and on Women and Gender Equality to investigate in aid of legislation the recent spate of grisly murders and recommend measures “to prevent the prevalence of gender-related killings.”
*The lawmakers cited the following recent cases:
- The March 11 murder of a 22-year-old woman by her 27-year-old live-in partner in Bukidnon
- The fatal stabbing of a woman by her boyfriend in Quezon City
- The killing of a young woman in Antipolo, who was reportedly dismembered by her live-in partner
The Makabayan lawmakers said that “gender-related killing is the vicious and extreme form of gender-related violence.”
The CHR also noted that victims of gender-based violence and abuse continue to hesitate to seek help due to the stigma and shame that comes with coming out in the open.
For this reason, the human rights body said it is the responsibility of the government to stay ahead of those who exploit vulnerable individuals through online platforms.
According to the CHR, actions like the PNP’s helpline leverage various channels, including social media platforms, to deliver accessible help to victims in need, enabling them to seek assistance and guidance in difficult times when they are under threat.
Said the CHR: “The recent incidents in our country not only show the frequency of domestic-related cases in the Philippines but also show the violence and brutality of the attacks aimed at these women.”
