For countless women and children around the world, this question is not just a frightening thought but a horrific reality. Violence against women and children (VAWC) is a silent worldwide issue, often hidden behind closed doors, yet its scars are visible in lives shattered and futures stolen. This problem strikes at the core of families, where abuse often goes unspoken, leaving victims to suffer alone. Focusing on the Philippines, where numerous factors such as cultural stigma is one of the main reasons.
Across the globe, 1 in 3 women experiences physical or sexual violence, and countless children endure unspeakable abuse, often at the hands of those they know. In the Philippines, the stories are hauntingly real. Christine Silawan, a 16-year-old girl in Cebu, was found brutally murdered in 2019. A case that shocked the nation and exposed the vulnerabilities of young women. Then there’s Baby River, whose separation from her detained mother, Reina Mae Nasino, stirred public outrage and highlighted systemic failures in protecting the most innocent. These cases are painful reminders that behind every statistic is a human being; a woman or child who deserved love and safety but instead faced violence and neglect.
The fight against VAWC has led to significant steps forward. Laws like Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act) and Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection for Children) provide legal safeguards for victims, while the Safe Spaces Act combats sexual harassment in daily life. Organizations such as the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Child Protection Network tirelessly advocate for victims, offering not just legal aid but hope and healing.
Yet, despite these efforts, the question remains: Are we doing enough?
Ending VAWC is not just a matter of policies or punishments; it’s about changing mindsets. It starts with educating communities to break the cycle of violence, empowering women to stand on their own, and teaching children that they deserve respect and care. By choosing kindness over cruelty, justice over silence, and action over apathy, we can create a world where no one has to live in fear of those they love.
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Love this! Indeed, we need to choose justice instead od silence.
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