INTRODUCTION
All Women Need
Protection Against Violence
Across the world—in rich and poor countries
alike—women are being beaten, trafficked, raped and killed. These human rights
abuses not only inflict great harm and suffering on individuals—they tear at
the fabric of entire societies.[1]
Women of color, older women, young women,
lesbians, poor and working-class women, and women with disabilities, to name a
few, are especially vulnerable[2] to violence.
Violence against women is a form of
discrimination and a violation of human rights. It causes untold misery,
cutting short lives and leaving countless women living in pain and fear in
every country in the world. It harms families across the generations,
impoverishes communities and reinforces other forms of violence throughout
societies. Violence against women stops them from fulfilling their potential,
restricts economic growth and undermines development. The scope and extent of
violence against women are a reflection of the degree and persistence of
discrimination that women continue to face. It can only be eliminated,
therefore, by addressing discrimination, promoting women’s equality and
empowerment, and ensuring that women’s human rights are fulfilled.[3]
Oftentimes, violence occurs in sexual,
physical, moral or pshyscho;ogical and economic nature. Women
and girls are subjected to violence because of their gender, lack of
knowledge of their rights and fear.
The adoption and enforcement of national laws
to address and punish all forms of violence against women and girls, in line
with international human rights standards, [4]
our government finally acted and made efforts to eradicate violence in our
society and provide for protection to women. As emulated in the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, under Section 14, The
State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the
fundamental equality before the law of women and men.[5] Also, with the number of reported violence against
women in the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as Violence Against Women And Their
Children was enacted to provide for their protection and remedies.
As
we face the era of technology, globalization and huge change in culture, there
are still different forms of violence where women are still not given priority
and their rights are still compromised. Then, are all women given the required
protection against violence?
[1] Legislation on Violence Against Women.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/handbook/Handbook%20for%20legislation%20on%20violence%20against%20women.pdf.
Last visited, Jan. 16, 2015.
[2] Race, Class, and Violence
Against Women, http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/viol_race.html.
Last visited Jan. 16, 2015
[3] Ending violence against women: from words to
action
Study of the Secretary-General. http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/launch/english/v.a.w-exeE-use.pdf.
Last visited Jan. 16, 2015
[4] For
further information regarding the Secretary-General’s campaign “UNiTE to End
Violence against Women”
please visit the website at:
http://endviolence.un.org/.
[5]
Section 14, 1987 Philippine Constitution
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