Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Awareness contributes rising VAWC complaints in Davao City



DAVAO CITY, Nov 24 (PIA) Davao City commemorated Monday the 33th Year of the International Day for the Elimination of the Violence against Women and Children in a simple program at the event center of SM City, Matina.

Lorna Mandin, chief of the Integrated Gender Development Division of the city government said despite spearheading the creation of laws for the protection of women and children in Asia especially Republic Act 9262, violent incidents against women and children still prevail and increase.

She said women’s desk at the local police precincts, local hospitals and even the Office of the City Mayor still receive more complaints about violations of the VAWC law.
“Women are confident that they air their concerns before the city government, line government agencies and the presence of support groups that may give assistance to them,” Mandin said.

She said many women nowadays are already open about their plight on the news television, and in barangay fora.

Mandin said most of the abuses is often related to the familial economy.

“Husbands do not give full support in terms of family subsistence,” she said.

Mandin said wife battery also occurs, but also ranges from 30 to 35 percent of the total number of complaints.

She said that in 2004 a total of 104 cases was recorded but nine years later, in 2013 the cases rose to 1,041 reported VAWC incidents.

“Among these cases, only 10 percent reached the courts,” Mandin said.

She said fear remains a strong factor for women to file cases.

Mandin explained that aside from the expensive filing of charges, the process is also long and tedious.

“Some cases have been pending from five to ten years in court without resolution,” she said.

Mandin said that being a monitoring and coordinative body, the IGDD provides legal services to the complainants.

She said those who need jobs or livelihood are referred to the City Social Services and Development for training, financial capital and jobs.

“Complainants tend to set aside their personal welfare relative to philandering husbands.  They are often after the economic support due to their children,” Mandin said.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

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