According to, 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) Violence against women (VAW) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, appears to be one of the country’s pervasive social problems. According to, 17.5% of Filipino women aged 15-49 have experienced any form of physical, sexual, and emotional violence from their intimate partners. As of 2021, there were 8,399 reported cases of physical violence, 1,791 on rape, and 1,505 on acts of lasciviousness. It is alarming that despite addressing the concern, VAW persists.
VAW is “any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public and private life. Gender-based violence is any violence inflicted on women because of their sex.” (UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 1993),
The Usapang Babae, held last December 14, 2024 is the campaign of VAW (Violence Against Women) facilitated by the Timpuyog ti Baro a Namnama ti OFW ti Pamilya ti OFW iti Baguio City Inc., is a forum attended by the women of the community, civic society, educator, police desk, medical health, solo parent, SK(Samahang Kabataan), and students. In partnership with Humanity United a philanthropic organization that works to end human exploitation and violent conflict. Marking a new perspective in fostering change initiated by the community, celebrating diversity, power, hope, and aspiration of women. Empowering and strengthening the campaign in rejecting all forms of violence that compromise public security and safety. By building a safe space where the communities, mothers, children, youth, partners, allies and supporters of women that caters freedom, democracy, share expertise, represent themselves and be recognized as partners in finding solutions to a growing social issue affecting dynamics. Due to women victims the “culture of silence” cases of violence against women often goes unreported due to women victims in contrast, others tend to dismiss their ordeal due to their lack of faith in the country’s justice system caused by frustrations over the lack of results in filing complaints. Through the stakeholders that provide legal assistance, consultation, psycho-social support and handle cases after they reconcile with the complainants there’s no follow up reports and the cases are closed. Through this awareness it opens the community to engagement. One of the youth leaders in the community said “from now on, I am going to be involved’’which will give a big impact to the youth and women who are present at that moment to be involved in such a time where violence against women are happening whether in the community or in the family or in the society.
CONCLUSION To end up Violence Against Women, as women and part of the community, I want to be involved for the better services and responses, speak out, and support organizations that promote change to be aware and to get involved and to be a part of the safe spaces act in supporting awareness to my fellow women and support in finding solutions in growing social issues not to affect the family dynamics, children’s health and well-being.
