WESTERN Visayas is confronted with a harsh reality: existing policies and laws, while well-intentioned, are not enough to protect the rights and lives of women and children. The region grappled with 2,763 reported cases of gender-based violence in the first three quarters of 2024. This calls for robust policy reforms and stricter enforcement of laws. As Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region 6 director Arwin Razo aptly stated, “The time to act is now.”
The Philippines has long been lauded for its progressive laws aimed at protecting women and children, such as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262) and the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313). However, the persistence of gender-based violence indicates a significant gap between legislation and implementation. Many survivors, particularly those in rural areas, struggle to access justice due to systemic barriers, including limited resources, lack of awareness, and cultural stigmas.
Furthermore, the enforcement of existing laws often falls short. Local law enforcement units are frequently ill-equipped to handle sensitive cases, and judicial processes remain painfully slow, discouraging survivors from seeking redress. This gap not only perpetuates cycles of violence but also undermines public trust in the justice system.
To empower women and children effectively, policy reforms must address these shortcomings and go beyond punitive measures. Preventive and proactive strategies should be at the forefront. This may include increasing funding for gender-based violence prevention programs, establishing more accessible support centers, and ensuring that law enforcement agencies are adequately trained and resourced to respond to cases with urgency and sensitivity.
Reforms must also focus on integrating gender perspectives into local governance. Local government units (LGUs) are key in implementing national policies at the community level. By mandating LGUs to allocate a significant portion of their budgets to gender-responsive programs, the government can ensure that protections for women and children are not just theoretical but practical and actionable.
Legislation without enforcement is an empty promise. To ensure that laws protecting women and children are upheld, law enforcement agencies must be held accountable for their performance. This includes instituting regular audits and evaluations of how cases are handled and resolved. Additionally, the creation of specialized units within the police force to address gender-based violence can improve both the efficiency and sensitivity of responses.
But policy reforms and stricter enforcement are only part of the solution. True empowerment requires a cultural shift that values and protects the rights of women and children as fundamental to societal progress. Education campaigns, community outreach, and the active engagement of men and boys in gender equality advocacy are important to achieving this shift.
Western Visayas must seize this moment to lead by example, demonstrating that it is not just a region of strong policies but also one of effective action.
