Vice President Sara Duterte asserted the alarming reality that violence against women and children (VAWC) and human trafficking continue to threaten the safety and dignity of many.
Duterte in her heartfelt message to all Filipino women across all sectors in celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day and National Women’s Month on Saturday said from domestic abuse to online exploitation and trafficking, gender-based violence remains a persistent barrier to women’s empowerment.
According to the Philippine Commission on Women, violence against women (VAW) appears as one of the country’s pervasive social problems.
The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that 17.5% of Filipino women aged 15 to 49 have experienced any form of physical, sexual, and emotional violence from their intimate partners and as of 2021, there were 8,399 reported cases of physical violence, 1,791 on rape, and 1,505 on acts of lasciviousness.
Based on the 2024 fact sheet on VAW by the PSA, physical with sexual violence remains the highest case followed by physical violence only.
“The fight for women’s rights is not just about closing economic and political gaps—it is about ensuring that every woman and child is protected, heard, and allowed to thrive. Let us work together to strengthen our laws, improve access to justice, support survivors, and challenge the deeply rooted norms that enable violence,” the vice president said.
She also urged every sector of society, government, private institutions, civil society, and individuals to work together to break the cycle of abuse and exploitation.
“Together, let us build a future where no woman fears for her safety, where every girl can pursue her dreams without fear of violence, and where equality is not just a goal, but a lived reality,” she said.
Duterte emphasized that across all sectors, Filipino women are at the forefront of change—leading in governance, driving innovation, and strengthening communities.
“Our resilience and contributions shape a more inclusive and progressive society,” the vice president said in a recorded message,” she said.
