ILOILO – As the coronavirus pandemic persists, the number of women suffering from abuse could increase, according to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
Between March and August this year, the province recorded 213 incidents.
“If you give another six months, it can be doubled,” said Rara Ganzon, spokesperson of PSWDO.
Last year’s violence against women (VAW) cases reached 241.
According to Ganzon, the most common case was domestic violence.
“It happens inside homes. Ginasakit, ginasipa, tanan nga pang-abuso nga physical,” she added.
Because the perpetrators are likely members of the family, Ganzon said the abuse could be recurring.
She added that the abuses also affect children who could be witnessing them.
In Region 6, a total of 2,007 VAW cases were recorded between March and August 2021 – physical abuse (949); sexual abuse (140); psychological abuse (419), and economic abuse (419).
On the other hand, Ganzon did not discount the possibility of unreported VAW cases.
She said the barriers could be accessibility to report to the right agency as well as fear of retaliation from the perpetrator.
Here, Ganzon encouraged local government units to allot livelihood funds for a VAW victim.
“It’s very important that our local chief executives are one with us in the campaign,” Ganzon said.
She also pointed out there were VAW desks in the barangays.
“But the question: are they functional or merely organized? It is not enough that you organize the desk for the sake of compliance, dapat functional,” Ganzon added.
She also stressed that the campaign against VAW should not end after the nationwide 18-day campaign which kicked off yesterday.
“It should be every day,” she said.
On the part of PSWDO, Ganzon said they provide technical assistance to their municipal counterparts.
Yesterday, a signing of pledges to end VAW was held at the capitol lobby.
It was led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr./PN
