BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Gender-based violence (GBV) cases in Cordillera declined by 12 percent from January to September 2023 458 with 458 cases compared to the same period in 2022 with 523.
Police Regional Office- Cordillera Women and Children Protection Desk (PROCor WCPD) Chief PMaj. Marcy Grace Marron attributed the decrease in GBV cases to the intensified efforts of the PRO Cordillera in raising public awareness and the continuous advocacy campaigns of various agencies to end gender-based violence.
“Because of the continuous advocacy campaigns, informed ken oriented metten dagiyay kalalakihan. Karamihan met nga perpetrators wenno suspects kadagiti kakastoy nga cases ket lallaki [Because of the continuous advocacy campaigns, men are now informed and oriented. Most perpetrators or suspects in these cases are men],” Marron said.
Among the programs of the PNP is the conduct of Men Opposed to Violence against women Everywhere (MOVE) seminars, where men are oriented or reoriented on the rights of women and the laws governing GBV cases. The seminar also aims to promote gender equality and encourage men to actively participate in the prevention of violence.
“Mai-discuss dagiti linteg, anya ubraen nu maka-encounter iti kasta a kaso, mai-discuss metlaeng ti rights ti women. Nu aware dan, apan da iti respective work or offices, katulungan mi isuda iti advocacy campaign [The laws and the rights of women are discussed, what they must do when they encounter such case. If they are aware, when they go back to their respective work or offices, they now help us in the advocacy campaign],” Marron shared.
She added that they also reach out to barangays and schools to lecture on the rights of women and children and what they must do when they experience abuse. By empowering communities, they hope that every individual will take action against abuse and create a safer environment for women and children.
Aside from maximizing the social media for information, education campaigns, the PNP also conducts dialogues with barangay leaders to ensure a more effective response to GBV. Moreover, they conduct trainings for barangay peacekeeping action teams for them to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively address gender-based violence cases within their jurisdiction.
To ensure that justice will be served to the victims-survivors, Marron said they also conduct WCPD-specialized course for the women’s desks for them to efficiently and sensitively handle cases. They also continue to strengthen partnership with non-government organizations, committees, and councils to end GBV.
Marron encouraged the victim-survivors of violence to muster the courage and report to the PNP to bring their perpetrators to justice and prevent further harm. She assured that the PNP is committed to provide support and protection throughout the entire process.
“If you are a victim of abuse, get the courage to report because we are here—the PNP, the VAWC desk, and the other agencies and NGOs who are willing to help. If you do not report that, it might suggest that you are tolerating what the perpetrator does. We need to put an end to violence,” Marron emphasized.
She also urged the public to come forward and report cases of GBV to ensure that victims-survivors receive the justice and support they deserve.
“Dagiyay adda ti makaammo iti kakasjay nga cases, let’s not turn our backs. Kumbaga, let us be a concerned citizen nga i-report tayo met nga adda ti kakasjay nga cases tapnu ammo mi met nu anya dagiti interventions, dagiyay actions nga ubraen mi [Those who know some cases, let’s not turn our backs. Let us be concerned citizens who will report these cases for us to know the interventions and the actions that must be taken],” she added.
You may report to the PRO- Cordillera WCPD through their hotline 0927-534-7311 or to the nearest police stations in your area. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
