"An Ancient Issue for the Modern Filipina" by Jillian D. Feliciano

The Philippines was ranked 9th globally and 1st in all of Asia in the Women’s Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report published in 2014. The report was based on women’s participation in the economy, their educational attainment, health, and political empowerment. Despite this, Violence Against Women (VAW) is still considered by the Philippine Commission on Women to be “one of the country’s most pervasive social problems.” VAW is defined by the Philippine Department of Health as “any act of gender-based violence that results or is likely to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats or such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.” It is a hugely important issue that is yet to be solved. It is a threat that is present in the minds of all Filipina women, every time they go in a public place, or maybe even when they stay at home. As a Filipina, living in the most developed part of my country, I do not feel safe.

In a survey conducted by the Philippine National Statistics Office in 2008, it was found that one in every five Filipino women aged 15 to 49 has experienced violence. As a 15-year old girl, I have grown to be too vigilant of my surroundings. This is partly because of all the Facebook posts that my mother sends me, about young girls and women who get taken advantage of in public bathrooms, kidnapped, or have suddenly gone missing. It is a shame to say that Filipino women have simply gotten used to taking extra precautions whenever going out. Rarely does a boy my age be given an extra reminder. At a young age, children are exposed to the reality that their gender affects the way that they are treated and viewed. It affects the way they live.

Violence Against Women stems from a culture with an acceptance of violence, and a sense of entitlement over women. Societal norms lead women to be viewed as nurturers and supporters, while men are viewed to be leaders and providers, which then lead to men gaining power over women. VAW is an attempt to contain that power. Entitlement is where violence starts. Although, it has been said that awareness about this issue is increasing. The year 2013 was reported by the Philippine National Police to have the most cases of VAW, which could mean that incidents are being reported more. The root of this problem must be addressed, and the stigma around reporting a crime must be left in the past. It is time to take action on the injustices that occur around us.

There is not one way to solve the issue of Violence Against Women. It is deeply rooted in Filipino culture and history. But it is not impossible. As time passes, new ideas are shared and new ideals are accepted. The new generation is the key to improving society, the building block of which is education, a powerful tool that helps shape minds, and can be used to influence the youth to change the way that women are perceived and treated. A culture and society of education, empowerment, and justice, leaves no room for violence, bias, and an ancient way of thinking.