VAW, hadlang sa economic dev’t -DBM

SINABI ni Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman na ang violence against women (VAW) ay isang “significant impediment” sa socioeconomic development.

Ipinalabas ni Pangandaman ang kalatas kasabay ng paggunita sa 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.

“As a staunch advocate of women empowerment, gender equality and children’s rights, I stand firm in my belief that VAW is a profound violation of human rights, a barrier to gender equality, and a significant impediment to socioeconomic development,” ayon kay Pangandaman.

“It takes many forms, resulting in physical, sexual, and emotional harm to women,” dagdag na wika nito.

Idineklara ang 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, sa Ilalim ng Proclamation 1172, ginunita taun-taun mula Nov. 25 hanggang Dec. 12.

Tinukoy ang 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey, sinabi ng Kalihim na ang 17.5% ng mga Filipina na may edad na 15-49 ang nakaranas ng anumang uri ng karahasan mula sa kanilang ‘intimate partners.’

Samantala, mayroong 8,399 ang napaulat na kaso ng physical violence, 1,791 kaso ng rape o panggagahasa at 1,505 kasoi ng acts of lasciviousness noong 2021.

“This, serves as a painful reminder of the work that lies ahead.”ayon kay Pangandaman.

“Hence, let us remember that our commitment to ending violence against women must extend beyond rhetoric. It requires us to take concrete actions to address the root causes that perpetuate this insidious cycle of violence,” aniya pa rin.

Nanawagan naman si Pangandaman sa publiko na huwag kunsintihin ang anumang excuse para sa VAW.

“We must continue fostering an environment where women feel safe and empowered because VAW has no place in our society,” aniya pa rin.

“During this 18-day campaign, let us unite in our commitment to creating a world where women can live free from fear and where their potential can be fully realized,” dagdag na wika nito.

Si Pangandaman ay nasa ‘forefront’ ng pagsisikap ng gobyerno para sa women empowerment.

Pinangunahan ng Kalihim ang delegasyon ng Pilipinas sa 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women sa unang bahagi ng taon at tanyag na pigura sa recently-held International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security sa Maynila. (Daris Jose)