IN 1994, more than a decade ago, our Congress enacted Republic Act No. 9262, which effectively creates
the way we treat domestic violence - especially how we can protect women and children from physical, emotional, psychological and economic abuse from their ex-spouse, boyfriend, and dating partners.
According to this law, it recognizes that "gender-based violence is a form of discrimination that impedes women's ability to enjoy rights and freedoms based on men's equality."
What remedies can women get from this law? The law is gender-specific - because they can only file actions against offenders, whether male or female. The law covers relationships - whether past or present, married, live-in, sexual or dating - this law provides remedies through a protection order in a civil action or in a criminal act , apart from criminal action for its violation.
It makes the process of obtaining a restraining order against offenders easier and faster by issuing protection orders from both the courts and village officials.
In other words, this law allows for the issuance of three types of so-called "protection orders" from the barangay, a Temporary Protection Order, and a Permanent Protection Order. The "protection order" of the barangay is given by the village head or a barangay member.
Today, we can say that despite the challenges and difficulties of proposing and enacting appropriate and effective laws for women, our country has become bold and steadfast and has taken a step toward ensuring gender equality. Today, we can be proud of the "VAWC" which protects and respects women's rights and promotes their rightful place as equal participants in nation building.
Sources:http://diaryobomba.com/opinyon/violence-against-women-and-children-vawc/
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