An official of the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-Davao) revealed that more women are now aware of their rights under the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) law.
Sherlyn Concubierta, social welfare II of DSWD 11, said because of the campaign many women are now approaching their office to complain of abuse by their husbands or partners.
“Dili ko muingon nga nag decrease ang mga kaso pero nag-increase siya because of awareness. Kabalo na sila muduol ug unsa ilang buhaton if na-abuse na sila sa ilang partner or husband,” Concubierta said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).
She said that based on their data there are about 27 victims of VAW recorded in the first quarter to the third quarter of this year.
“Ato silang ginatabangan kung unsa ilang buhaton kay dinhi nga opisina ang una nilang ginaadto. Most of the clients ngano mahadlok sila tungod sa support sa husband mao magpabun-og na lang sila kay unsaon na lang ang ilang mga anak. Lisod kaayo kung ingon ana lang nga ginapugngan lang nila. Gina empower gyud namo ang mga kababayen’an na dili magpa daug-daug,” she said.
Empowering women against VAWC is among the advocacy of DSWD for the 18-day campaign of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which kicked off on November 25, 2022.
Concubierta said DSWD 11 will be intensifying the information dissemination that VAW is a public health, gender equality, and human rights issue.
“Ngano ta ga celebrate ug Violence Against Women. Gina celebrate nato ni ug isa sa mga gina campaign or advocate nato ang mga nabiktima aning any forms of abuses physical, mental, economic, psychological or any kinds of abuse. Gina-advocate nato ang paghatag ug protection sa mga kababayen-an,” she said.
She said DSWD 11 has existing programs for the victims of VAW and among them is establishing a Crisis Intervention Unit in their office.
“Magdepende ta unsa ilang needs. Gina encourage namo sila ug kung gusto nila ug hustisya ug kasuhan, mag depende mi sa ilaha kay later on ang decision naa gihapon sa ilaha,” she said.
