“VAWC is a public crime and it’s everybody’s concern”- Pasil MSWD

Pasil, Kalinga – “Violence against Women and their Children (VAWC) is a public crime, and it is everybody’s concern,” Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) Officer of Pasil, Segundina Gumabay, emphasized this in a message during the recent commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of VAW.

MSWDO Gumabay reasoned that everyone in the community has a role in the campaign to end violence against women and children. VAWC, she explained, is any of the actions resulting in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering of women and their children, including threats.

The MSWDO pointed that in order to ensure the protection of women and their children, the community should be vigilant and should report observed abuses to save the victim and penalize the offender.

This is backed by Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004. The law recognizes that the woman is usually disadvantaged in an abusive relationship, thus securing temporary or permanent protection order, providing relief to victims from the abuse or violence.

Under RA 9262, the offender if proven guilty by courts, shall be imprisoned ranging from 1 month and 1 day to 20 years, depending on the gravity of the crime, and shall be obliged to pay P100, 000 to P300, 000 in damages. The offender shall likewise undergo psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.

Pasil MSWDO establishes MOVE-KATROPA

Gumabay said that their office established in July the Men Opposed to Violence against Women Everywhere-Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (MOVE-KATROPA) as their advocacy against VAWC.

This December 11, the office had an orientation on the roles and functions of MOVE-KATROPA at the Department of Education’s Training Hall.

MSWDO reported that a total of 35 participants were present in the event composite of MOVE officers and members, and VAWC desks of the 14 barangays in the municipality.

The roles and functions of MOVE, as discussed, include “coordination with religious organization to mainstream gender and development in their plan of activities.”

In addition, the group as VAWC advocate shall help other barangays adopt and elect their own MOVE officers and members, which will be the MSWDO’s partners. MOVE activities shall be provided accordingly.

Gumabay added that accomplishments of said movement shall be reported to MSWDO, Philippine National Police-Pasil, and Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO).

The MSWD Office, after MOVE orientation, also conducted lectured on gender and sensitivity, and gender-based violence.

The office effort is to achieve a VAWC-free status of the municipality and maintain its safe environment.

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