I find that it is not the circumstances
in which we are placed,
but the spirit in which we faced them,
that constitutes our comfort.
Elizabeth T. King
Globally, the impact of women’s constructive role in the advancement of modern society is keenly felt at present than it was decades earlier as more women make further inroads in all fields of human existence. Thus, the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8 and National Women’s Month (for the Philippines) is a fitting tribute to exalt womanhood, and to trumpet the role and contribution of women in shaping our individual lives: as mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend.
Nonetheless, like a double-edged sword, the celebration does not only urge us to trumpet the gains women have achieved in all levels of society, whether social, political, cultural and economic; but also call our attention to the plight of women all over the world. Women of various cultures have, time and again, struggled to advance their status in civilization and to articulate their innate desire for freedom and equality, breaking the traditional rules of conduct in which society has boxed them in.
UN Convention and Declaration on the rights of women
The 1981 United Nations (UN) convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, upholds that both men and women enjoy equal rights in all aspects of societal endeavor. However, despite the declarations and recommendations adopted by the UN and other specialized agencies promoting equality of rights of men and women, widespread discrimination against women continues to exist.
“Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and peace,” said UN former Secretary General Kofi Annan in his message in November 25, 2000 marking the UN’s first observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The 1993 UN declaration for the elimination of violence against women defines the term as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
Violence against women includes, but should not be limited to physical, sexual and psychological domestic violence (battering, sexual abuse in the family, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation), violence in the community (rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation in the workplace, educational institutions or elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution), and violence perpetrated or condoned by the state.
Violence affects millions of women globally, transcending socio-economic and educational background. It intersects cultural and religious barriers, depriving women of their basic right to participate completely in society.
Violence against women takes on varied forms, from domestic abuse to rape, as well traditional and cultural practices that are harmful to women.
Why women become victims of violence
One primary reason why women fall victims to violence is the unequal status women has in a society. In a highly patriarchal culture, women are considered properties of their husbands, or their fathers, if unmarried. This is particularly true in developing countries and Asian nations where women have little protection, or no recourse at all to laws to defend them from exploitation and abuse.
Women Aid International, a development agency that promotes all rights for peoples in all countries; reports that women victims of violence especially battered wives, often find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of economic dependence, lack of confidence in themselves, ignorance, and fear for their children’s lives and their own. Shame and social pressures also add up to their hesitancy to report domestic violence to authorities.
The Philippine situation
Prevalent among Filipino men is the macho mentality that contributes to the discrimination of women in all strata of society. This mindset is further reinforced by media portrayals of women as subservient and passive victims of discrimination and violence.
According to Eden Bonagua-Parot, executive director of Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), a non-government organization that helps abused women and children find healing through counseling and related programs, the cultural aspect is a contributing factor why violence against women is perpetrated in the sanctuary of the home.
The sense of shame, the fear of being blamed for the relationship that had gone awry, and the desire to keep the family intact; are common reasons why women don’t report domestic violence, explains Bonagua-Parot.
Researches conducted by WCC revealed a high incidence of violence against women being done right in the privacy of their own homes. Data showed that 60% of these cases are those of women and children abused by the husbands and partners, while 18.4% are victims of sexual abuse, such as rape and incest. From 1989 to 2004, there was a total of 2, 685 new cases of wife battery and 839 of rape/incest recorded in WCC’s data sheet.
“The way we see it, one cause of violence against women is the perception of some men that women are their properties, and that, they have power over women – unequal power relationship between man and woman,” says Bonagua-Parot.
Take the case of Jenny (not her real name), who was a battered wife with three children. Jenny endured physical beatings for 11 years from her husband. She had left her husband several times in the past but she always came back after the husband asked for forgiveness. She finally found the courage to seek help for her and her children when she found out that her husband was using drugs. A relative referred her to a crisis center, where she sought temporary shelter for her and her children.
According to police records, an average of 20 cases of violence against women are reported everyday, although it is estimated that not all crimes committed against women are reported to authorities.
Domestic violence
Bonagua-Parot confirms that it is very difficult for victims of abuse and violence to come out in the open and report their abuser. “Emotional dependency,” she quips. “For some, actually, even if they come to us for help, they still go back, despite the abuse.”
Tradition and ethnic beliefs are also seen as factors that help perpetuate the culture of violence. Mae Jardiniano, coordinator for Community Organizing, Networking and Policy Advocacy of WCC, says that the idea of a family as sacrosanct is deeply entrenched in the Filipino values.
“We have to preserve the family at all costs,” says Jardiniano.
The sad reality however, is that many Filipino homes have now become venues of domestic violence. The husband/father had become abuser of those he is supposed to love and protect.
Connie (not her real name either), is a young woman with a 2-year old child borne out of incest relationship with her own father. Her mother, according to Connie, knew about the abuse being done on her, yet never did anything to help her. A medical social worker who learned of Connie’s situation immediately referred her to WCC. The center provided her with counseling, medical and legal assistance, coordination with other agencies for her and her child’s needs and livelihood training.
Consequences of Abuse
The consequences of physical abuse on the victim’s bodily and mental health are serious and create an emotional scar that runs deep. Physical violence can lead from body pains to disfigurement and permanent disability, whereas cost to mental health can lead the victim to live in perpetual anger, fear and self-blaming and suicidal thoughts.
Cases of violence inflicted against women continue to rise in the country despite laws passed by Congress upholding women’s rights and protecting them from any forms of discrimination and violence, such as the anti-rape law and RA 9262.
Republic Act 9262
RA 9262, also known as Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, declares that the state upholds the dignity of women and children, and protects their human rights, and defend them from violence or any form of threats to their safety and security. The Philippines, which is a party to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women and other international human rights body, basically adopted the provisions embodied in the UN declaration.
Aside from RA 9262, another law that protects women from sexual assault, is the anti rape law. However, despite the presence of laws, Bonagua-Parot claims, implementation remains a big problem.
Nonetheless, she is also quick to point out that the government is supportive of their causes.
“For instance, we are part of the Women’s and Children’s crisis care and protection unit in East Avenue Medical Center. This space that we occupy in the hospital was given to us free of charge,” says Bonagua-Parot. She explains that their organization works closely with the Department of Justice, Department of Social Welfare and Development, which gives financial assistance to rape victims; the National Commission on the role of women, with whom they work closely in lobbying Congress for laws that are helpful to women; and the Philippine National Police.
There are 44 Women and Children protection unit instituted by the Department of Health throughout the country, but not all are active due to lack of budget.
Women’s Crisis Center
WCC acts as the convenor of the National Network of Family Violence Prevention Programs (NNFVPP). NNFVPP is composed of 48 women’s organization serving urban, rural and indigenous communities in Metro Manila and in different parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It addresses the issue of violence against women and family violence through center and community-based prevention strategies.
WCC also started the establishment of the first crisis center in the country. Here, women and children victims-survivors of battering, rape, incest, sexual harassment, prostitution and sex trafficking are counseled, supported and encouraged to take a “firm commitment to end violence against women and work towards violence free families.”
Finding the courage to go on
Having mustered the courage to pack up and leave her abusive husband, Jenny and her children sought temporary shelter at WCC. The center provided counseling services for Jenny and her children. WCC also conducted art therapy sessions to the children to facilitate their healing process. At present, Jenny is active in advocacy work of the survivor’s support program of WCC.
Totally freed from the effects of abuse, Connie is now finding meaning in her life and of her son’s. She realized that she should not blame herself for what happened to her. The counseling she received helped her acquire self-confidence and liberated her from the paralyzing condition of hopelessness.
Bonagua-Parot believes that despite the cultural factor, there is still hope for abusive men to change their behavior and mentality. “Education and the presence of laws are sure deterrent,” she says.
Celebrating womanhood
The Church recognizes the great mission of every woman in the world and for what they represent in the life of humanity. In a letter addressed to women in June 1995, the late John Paul II exalted the role of women and their indispensable contribution in the progress of society. He said that women have contributed to “history as much as men and, more often than not, they did so in much more difficult conditions.” The pope also acknowledged albeit with regret how women’s dignity as persons has often been overlooked and them, relegated to the margins of society. The Church on her part, the pope said, can help in setting women free from every kind of exploitation and domination through renewed fidelity to the Gospel vision.
“Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! Through the insight which is so much part of your womanhood you enrich the world’s understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic.” (JPII Letter to Women, 1995)
To celebrate and to struggle
Indeed, there is much to celebrate about as regards to the contribution of women in our individual lives and in society in general. But we should not also gloss over the fact that women, despite the accomplishments and positive role they perform in society, remain marginalized as a sector. Millions of women worldwide continue to suffer all forms of discrimination that deprive them of dignity as persons. Undeniably, the challenges are great, but the continuous struggle, hopefully, will raise public awareness that eventually will put an end to violence against women in our society.
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