Rights For Women (Thematic)

     VAW is a worldwide crisis, one out of every three women experiences it at least once in their lifetime. For the Philippines, there has been a release from the Philippine Statistics Authority on the National Demographic and Health Survey 2022, one in five women reported having ever experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence from her intimate partner. This trend is very bad and demands a redoubling of efforts towards the total eradication of VAW through legislation and awareness among women, an aim of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.

    The central tool of such efforts would be the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, or R.A. 9262. It is an empowering law that provides the most broad framework for protection from physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse, in order to empower victims, making them access protection orders and legal remedies to assure safety and dignity. Implementing R.A. 9262 promotes accountability and increases awareness of the seriousness of VAW and constitutes the cornerstone of the 18-day campaign.

    This is further supplemented by the Safe Spaces Act, or R.A. 11313, also known as the "Bawal Bastos Law." This legislation, enacted in 2019, protects individuals, women more so, against public place harassment, workplace harassment, and even harassment on virtual platforms, among others. It protects against dangerous acts of catcalling, stalking, cyberbullying, among others harmful acts. This law promotes a culture of respect and dignity whereby victims are empowered to report incidents without fear of reprisal and whereby violators are penalized in the fight against harassment.

    Another landmark law is the 2022 amendment to the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, R.A. 11648, which raised the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years. This will bring the Philippines in line with international practices in protecting minors and would fill legal loopholes that would otherwise allow perpetrators to be let off the hook. It embodies a greater commitment to the protection of children from exploitation and abuse.

    Among legislative tools on the battleground for VAW, the most prominent and the ones utilized are Anti-VAWC Act, Safe Spaces Act, and R.A. 11648. Though, will only be improved from coming from other different sectors. United in efforts in attaining the observance of laws that shall increase awareness builds a future without violence and fear and becomes a threat to women and children of a safer and more balanced society.

References:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istockphoto.com%2Fillustrations%2Fwomens-rights&psig=AOvVaw2NsoWJbznc3
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcepr.org%2Fvoxeu%2Fcolumns%2Forigins-womens-rights&psig=AOvVaw2NsoWJbznc3k4wJvz_z5L1&ust=1733056727142000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=
sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shutterstock.com%2Fblog%2Fwomens-rights-movement&psig=AOvVaw2NsoWJbznc3k4wJvz_z5L1&ust=1733056727142000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCNji68CJhIoDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAS
https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/national-demographic-health-survey
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/ra_11313_2019.html
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2004/ra_9262_2004.html