Violence among women still prevalent in CAR

SEXUAL and domestic violence still occur despite laws to protect women, according to Department of Social Welfare Development – Cordillera regional director Janet Armas.

"Despite the existence of laws and intervention provided by the different agencies and local government units, there are still abuses especially vio- lence. And this is one problem that we think we cannot stop unless everybody will do their part from the parents, different institutions, non-government to stop the violence especially to younger girls."

Addressing fellow women and men in the 13 municipalities of Benguet during the International Women's Day, Armas said based on a national data, one in five

women experience physical violence perpetrated by the family or partners and most abuses happen that annulment occur prior to domestic violence.

Moreover, one in 25 women aged 15-49 had experience forced sexual intercourse. In 2013, violence against women and children (VAWC) reported an increase by 49.4 percent.

Women's day is annually celebrated on March 8 for the women's achievements throughout the history and across the nations. The Philippines is one of the first countries that legislated the women's day.

VAWC remain as one of the biggest problem of which one aspect of empowering Filipino is to increase the public awareness of womens right- a step to advance women's welfare said Armas.

"Hopefully the abuse will not increase but the awareness of the people that they can report happening within their families, schools and offices," said Armas.

Armas also encouraged women to be partners of men in developing the communities.

"Our men needs us, our men need the idea of women that is why let us cooperate with our men we are not against men we are just reiterating that we should protect ourselves," Armas said.

"Parents should not forget of their responsibilities aside from providing money needed for their children. Women who are abused stay in the relationship considering they do not have any source of income," Armas added. "We are not for separation if we could still solve, they would undergo interventions to keep the relationship."

However Armas mentioned if there are still continuous abuse despite the intervention, their office is looking to provide employment and livelihood opportunities for additional source of income for women to provide the needs of the children.