[VAW-AL]

 

Abort VAW ( Violence Against Women)

The Annual Campaign to End Violence Against Women, which spans for eighteen (18) days from November 25 to December 12, which solely aims at raising awareness on VAW (Violence Against Women) and mobilizing for action in fighting against it. In 2024, the campaign urges the need for seeking broader legal protection, support services, and changing societal attitudes to prevent gender-based violence. Activities may range from educational seminars to public pledges to a mass media campaign aimed at motivating everyone to act against VAW (Violence Against Women).

Laws correlation to VAW:

RA 8353 (The Anti-Rape Law of 1997)

RA 8353 (The Anti-Rape Law of 1997) redefines rape as a crime against a person, emphasizing the violation of dignity and safety rather than morality or chastity. It states that rape is any carnal knowledge of a woman, whether by an instrument or by anything used for such purposes, without her consent. The act elaborates that coercion could be through any threats and intimidation designed to diminish the power of the victim and relieve the perpetrator of proper accountability for the act. This setting provides for better protection for rape and acknowledges the ways in which a victim of sexual violence might be impacted.

A very significant change is the law's recognition of marital rape, thus contesting the obsolete view of "eternal consent" in marriage. The law also further provides that the prescriptive period for bringing complaints on rape cases would last twenty years from the occurrence of the crime. These changes were made to address the frustrations and challenges faced by a survivor while reporting and prosecuting for sexual violence to make the legal justice system more accommodating to a survivor's fair quest for justice.

RA 11313 (The Safe Spaces of 2019)

RA 11313 (The Safe Spaces Act of 2019) takes cognizance of gender-based harassment in public spaces, workplaces, schools, and platforms. This shall adopt a broad definition of conduct with regard to harassment, which seeks to degrade or humiliate or intimidate sooner or later, such as catcalling, wolf-whistling, lewd gestures, sexual advances, and other degrading conduct which is widespread to the Philippines. This bill normalizes harassment brought on by a sense of entitlement and aims to create an ideal environment where women and other vulnerable people can enjoy safe spaces.

The law also contains provisions on cyber harassment, including cyberstalking, non-consensual distribution of private content, and other abuses online. The law issues penalties, fines, or imprisonment, and sets obligations for employers, schools, and local governments to create anti-harassment policies as well as address violators. RA 11313 highlights the need for accountability and mutual respect in appreciating and preventing harassment and supporting the empowerment of each and every member in being respected and included. 

Reference/s:

https://wlbonline.org/safe-spaces-act-design-campaign-posters-and-stickers/

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/243538-things-to-know-about-safe-spaces-act/

https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/stop-rape

https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/woman-being-harassed-gender-violence-illustration_9260523.htm#fromView=keyword&page=1&position=18&uuid=bd5c5da9-a572-4883-8b2f-bc69b967639b

https://english.jagran.com/maharashtra/thane-news-72yearold-bakery-owner-arrested-for-raping-nineyearold-girl-in-kalyan-10158546