BAGUIO, Philippines – Nearly one in five women have been recorded as victims of violence by their husbands or partners in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The figures – spanning physical, emotional, and sexual abuse – are based on official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Violence against women remains a pressing issue in the region despite progress in some areas, officials said during the launch of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women in the Cordillera on Monday, November 25.
Results of the last National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of PSA showed that 20% of women in CAR experienced violence from their spouses or partners in 2022.
Of these, 18% reported emotional violence, 5.1% experienced physical violence, and 2.7% suffered sexual violence.
Advocates said these numbers likely understate the problem, as many cases go unreported.
Survivor’s tale
During the launch, book author Charlyn June Fadchai Awing spoke about surviving more than five years of verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in a past relationship.
During that period, she said she endured constant belittlement, threats, slaps, and bruises – painful reminders of the control her abuser held over her.
None of these incidents were ever reported to the police. At the time, Awing said she did not realize that what she was experiencing was a crime.
“I thought, ‘Maybe if I just stay quiet and endure, everything will be okay soon.’ I didn’t know it was a crime. I didn’t even know I deserved better,” Awing said.
Deep down, she said she knew something was wrong, but fear and shame kept her silent. She said she worried others would judge her or blame her for the abuse, and for her children’s sake, she hid her pain, even covering visible wounds with a smile to conceal her suffering.
“I would cover my bruises with makeup and a fake smile. I didn’t want anyone to know, not even my closest friends,” she said.
Awing said her abuser’s control left her trapped in a cycle of confusion, fear, pain, and self-blame, but with the support of her family, friends, and colleagues, she found the strength to break free.
Today, Awing said she no longer lives in fear, and even wrote a book to help other women who are trapped in abusive relationships.
Factors and dynamics
The 2022 NDHS also showed that 27.5% of married women in CAR earn more than their husbands, while 28.9% of couples earn about the same.
Nationwide, the Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded 7,760 cases of violence against women and children in 2023.
Officials said the data shows changing power dynamics in relationships but also exposes potential conflicts that may lead to abuse. In some households, when women earn more, it disrupts traditional gender roles, creating tension.
Commission on Population and Development-Cordillera (CPD) Director Cecile Basawil said there are links between family dynamics, poverty, and violence, and these factors should be considered in addressing violence against women and children.
Local officials called on citizens to break the silence and challenge the stigma affecting victims.
Cultural norms in the region complicate the issue. While some communities respect women through matriarchal traditions, others adhere to patriarchal norms that discourage speaking out against abuse. For many families, the pressure to preserve harmony often outweighs the need for justice, leaving survivors isolated physically, emotionally, and socially.
“We need to listen to the stories of survivors, believe them, and act with urgency. Ending violence against women and children is not just a government responsibility — it is a shared obligation,” Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.
18-day campaign
The annual Cordillera campaign, themed “VAW (violence against women) Bigyang-Wakas, Ngayon na ang Oras,” aligns with the national government’s initiative spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act of 2004 or Republic Act No. 9262.
The campaign was launched by the region’s leaders alongside the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), MOVE Mountain Province, and CPD.
DSWD-CAR Director Aplaten said the campaign seeks to foster VAW-free communities, provide empathy and support to survivors, challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote collective responsibility in ending violence against women and children in the region.
The 18-day campaign extends beyond awareness-raising by offering practical services, including health consultations, legal assistance, business counseling, and information dissemination, through various government and non-governmental agencies in the Cordillera. – Rappler.com