Republic Act 9262:Protecting Women and Their Children Against Violence.
*video is credited to UNTVWeb via youtube.com
“For a nation to become resilient, the citizens have to be empowered irrespective of their gender. We should all be part of the solution to end gender-based violence.” ― Ifeoluwa Egbetade
I was once told by our father this line, “know your right, and know the laws too”, to be raised in a family of law enforcers, I was more knowledgeable in terms of what are the laws are and at the same time, knowing what each citizen should stand and that is a BIG BLESSING for me. But how about the others?
"Your freedom stops when I practice my rights", a line that I am don't remember where did I hear it from but somehow I kept. Yes, we are free but we must know the rights of others. There are many laws that were made by our law-makers that are meant to protect the rights of every citizen, regardless of their gender and ages and one of them is the Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children or VAWC.
*video is credited to balitang unang sigaw via youtube.com
I am the only female among the members of the Sangguniang Barangay, so I have to take the VAWC, to be the chairwoman that handles cases about abuse of women and children. After the meeting, I have to look deeper about the VAWC or the Violence Against Women and their Children, and study further what does R.A. 9262 really is and what does it covered for me to be able to implement and do the best as being the chairwoman on this committee.
So, lets us begin with how the Republic Act 9262 or the anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act came up.
What is R.A. 9262 or the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004?
*Image is credited to www.slideshare.ne
The Anti – Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 or otherwise known as VAWC, is a law passed in the Philippines for the protection of women and children from violence. It is a response to the need to address the violence women and children experience due to unequal power relations.
The Republic Act 9262 was signed on May 8, 2004 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, with the full support of women’s rights and feminist groups. It charges tougher penalties for abusive husbands and men and marks the declaration of the State’s valuation to “the dignity of women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights”.
And by the way, Senator Loi Ejercito was the principal author of Senate Bill 2723 or the Anti- VAWC bill in the Senate while Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo was the principal author of House Bill 5516 at the House of Representatives.
This law establishes the parameters and guidelines, in keeping with the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution and the Provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights instruments of which the Philippines is a party.
What does R.A. 9262 covers?
This Republic Act covers the following aside from physical abuse:
1. Sexual Violence – the acts which are sexual in nature.
*image is credited to es.slideshare.net
a) Rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, treating a woman or her child as a sex object, making demeaning and sexually suggestive remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim’s body, forcing him or her to watch obscene publications and indecent shows or forcing the woman or her child to do indecent acts and/or make films thereof, forcing the wife and mistress/lover to live in the conjugal home or sleep together in the same room with the abuser.
b) Acts causing or attempting to cause the victim to engage in any sexual activity by force, a threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical or other harm or coercion.
c) Prostituting the woman or child.
2. Psychological Violence – Acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim.
*image is credited to es.slideshare.net
Acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal abuse and mental infidelity. It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and/or visitation of common children.
3. Economic Abuse – Acts that make or attempt to make a woman financially dependent upon her abuser.
*Image is credited to es.slideshare.net
a) Withdrawal of financial support or preventing the victim from engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation, business or activity, except in cases wherein the other spouse/partner objects on valid, serious and moral grounds as defined in Article 73 of the Family Code;
b) Deprivation or threat of deprivation of financial resources and the right to the use and enjoyment of the conjugal, community or property owned in common;
c) Destroying household property;
d) Controlling the victim’s own money or properties or solely controlling the conjugal money or properties.
Agencies that work hand in hand with R.A. 9262.
*image is credited to www.pcw.gov.ph
There are government agencies that help in implementing the VAWC law and here they are.
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
- Philippine Commission on Women (PCW)
- Department of Education (DepEd)
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
The Anti-VAWC and me Being a Woman.
*image is credited to www.seiuhealthcare.ca
VAW is linked with the unequal power relationship between women and men, resulting from society's misinformed views on gender and sexuality, according to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). There is this perception that men are traditionally labeled as leaders and providers, while women are seen as nurturers and supporters.
I might be considered fortunate when it comes to knowing about few laws that deal with my rights as a woman but there are more out there who seems not to care or worst don’t have any idea the things they should be standing and fight for.
And I am glad that our country is doing its best in giving a fair treatment to every gender and to children, we just have to be more vigilant in helping more of them, empower them and protect them. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND LAWS.
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Thank you for reading!
