Fighting back

The mental state of many individuals has been affected by months of lockdown to try and contain the disease, which have resulted in the shutdown of many business establishments and the loss of jobs of thousands of workers, many of whom are men.

Many of these men also happen to be the sole breadwinner of their families.

One might think the sudden loss of income and the pressure to provide for the needs of the family would drive some men to violence, but the figures suggest that these have not.

The cases of violence against women between July and September this year were fewer compared to the same period last year, according to a report by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7.

From 383 cases in 2019, the agency catered to 214 cases this year.

The National Demographic Health Survey 2017 released by the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that one in four Filipino women, aged 1549, “has experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence from their husband or partner.”

Leah Quintana, DSWD 7 information officer, said they’ve launched the 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW). The annual advocacy campaign is slated between Nov. 25 and Dec. 12 as

mandated by Proclamation 1172 s. 2006.

Republic Act 10398 also declares Nov. 25 of every year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAW and Children, which mandates government agencies to raise awareness on the problem and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.

Majority of the cases, or 109, involved sexual abuse or sexual exploitation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual abuse as “actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions”