The Negros Oriental Provincial Commission on Women is pushing for the integration of the protection and well-being of women and their children in the school curriculum or campus activities.
At a Kapihan forum on Wednesday in celebration of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence against Women, PCW deputy chair Phoebe Tan said they have initially discussed with the Department of Education in the Province a series of activities to empower teachers and non-teaching personnel on these laws.
“The three important things to be discussed are bullying, violence against women and children, and the ‘bawal ang bastos’ law which we hope will be included in regular campus activities or as a regular subject,” Tan said.
“Hopefully, once the DepEd personnel are already equipped with the proper knowledge on these laws, they can craft a policy whether locally or otherwise for the learners to be taught salient features on the protection of women and children.”
Guest panelists and reactors alike raised continued concern as many cases persist despite efforts and services against VAW.
Aidalyn Arabe, head of the legal services of Gender Watch against Violence and Exploitation, said they serve many women-clients with many of them declining to file a case against their husbands.
They come for crisis counseling and legal advice but these survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence unfortunately are not yet ready to face the consequences of a legal action against their spouses, she added.
The GWAVE, on the other hand, has also assisted clients in filing cases and accompanied them until the end of the process, as some women fear being in court, especially if the other party is also present.
Josefina Columna, former Gender and Development focal person of Negros Oriental, and who continues her advocacy on women after retirement, said that after 16 years since the VAWC law was passed, violence and abuse continue against these vulnerable groups.
“This is a big challenge to implementors of this program as there are many obstacles that still need to be addressed,” she said.
Columna also batted for the early education of Grade 5 and 6 learners on bullying and VAWC to empower them as they grow and get more involved in the community.
She also highlighted the role of the family in advocating VAWC although unfortunately, domestic abuse is common and has strongly impacted the children.
Tan and the other advocates agreed that one reason why it is difficult to end VAWC is “the cycle of violence” and there is still much to be done to achieve this goal.
She said the provincial government, through the PWC, will be funding the series of talks and other activities starting in January 2025. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
