There was an increase of violence against Women and Children during the onslaught of the pandemic in 2020, South Cotabato PNP revealed.
PLt. Jojie Alog, Women and Child Protection Desk Chief, said PNP recorded 89 cases under Violence Against Women and Children in that year.
“Ninety six filed to the court for series of hearing,” Alog said during the regular press briefing Kapihan sa Kapitolyo.
However, PNP reported a sudden decrease of 47% in 2021.
PNP said that there were 17 cases of rape, three cases of attempted rape, and five cases of Acts of Lasciviousness.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Population Office (PPO) stated that the common issues in households that result in violence against women are the division of household chores, finances, reproductive choice, and physical abuse.
“We received a report of 49 incidences of physical abuse, 24 psychological abuse, and 15 economic abuse in 2020,” Melanie Chiva, Population Program Officer IV, said. She said the data came from the WCPD.
If given a chance, Chiva stressed the visible presence of women in economic development.
She said the essence is highlighted more in the reproductive role as they are the ones who carry the next generation, which gives them the right to decide in family planning.
“The office is the advocacy arm of population management. We conduct orientations with couples about the benefits of family planning,” she said.
“This will allow women to have a choice when it comes to planning the number of children to bear,” Chiva explained.
South Cotabato celebrates Women’s Month and promotes the rights of women to break the barrier between sexes for an equal society. A mural painting with female artists in South Cotabato highlights the celebration in the province.
(With reports from Claire Claverias, PIO Intern)
