What is VAW?
The UN defines violence against women (VAW) as,
“any act of gender-based violence that results
in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual
or psychological harm or suffering to women,
including threats of such acts, coercion
or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,
whether occurring in public and private life.
The Philippine definition as contained in Republic Act
9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their
Children Act of 2004) states VAW as "any act or a
series of acts committed by any person against a
woman who is his wife, former wife, or against a
woman with whom the person has or had a sexual
or dating relationship, or with whom he has a
common child, or against her child whether
legitimate or illegitimate, within or without the
family abode, which result in or is likely to result in
physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering,
or economic abuse including threats of such acts,
battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty.
Physical violence" refers to acts that include bodily or
physical harm
Sexual violence" refers to an act which is sexual in nature,
committed against a woman or her child. It includes, but is
not limited to:
rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, treating
a woman or her child as a sex object, physically attacking
the sexual parts of the victim’s body, forcing her/him to
watch obscene publications and indecent shows or
forcing the woman or her child to do indecent acts
and/or make films thereof, forcing the wife and
mistress/lover to live in the conjugal home or sleep
together in the same room with the abuser
acts causing or attempting to cause the victim to engage
in any sexual activity by force, threat of force, physical or
other harm or threat of physical or other harm or coercion;
prostituting the woman or her child.
Psychological violence" refers to acts or omissions causing
or likely to cause mental or emotional suffering of the
victim such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment,
stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation,
repeated verbal abuse and marital infidelity.
Economic abuse" refers to acts that make or attempt to
make a woman financially dependent. This includes but is not
limited to the following:
withdrawal of financial support or preventing the victim
from engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation,
business or activity, except in cases wherein the other
spouse/partner objects on valid, serious and moral
grounds as defined in Article 73 of the Family Code
deprivation or threat of deprivation of financial resources
and the right to the use and enjoyment of the conjugal,
community or property owned in common
destroying household property
controlling the victim’s own money or properties or solely
controlling the conjugal money or properties
LAWS COVERING FILIPINO WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law
Signed into law on February 2019 by
President Rodrigo Duterte, Republic Act 11210 or
the Expanded Maternity Leave Law extends the
previous 60-day (78 days for caesarian section
delivery for women workers in the private sector)
paid maternity leave to 105 days.
Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women
RA 6725 prohibits discrimination with
respect to terms and conditions of employment
solely on the basis of sex.
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children
Act of 2004
RA 9262, or An Act Defining Violence Against
Women and Their Children, Providing Protective
Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefor
and for Other Purposes, recognizes the need to
protect the family and its members particularly
women and children, from violence and threats to
their personal safety and security.
Assistance for small-scale women
entrepreneurs
This law seeks to provide all possible
assistance to Filipino women in their pursuit of
owning, operating and managing small business
enterprises.
Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995
RA 7877 addresses the issue of sexual
harassment committed in employment,
education or training environment. It was signed
into law on February 14, 1995, under former
President Fidel Ramos' administration.
The Anti-Rape Law of 1997
RA 8353 states that any person having
carnal knowledge of a woman through force,
threat, or intimidation or by means of fraudulent
machination or grave abuse of authority will be
punished.
Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of
1998
RA 8505 declares the policy of the State to
provide necessary assistance and protection for
rape victims.
Magna Carta of Women
RA 9710 is a comprehensive women's
human rights law that seeks to eliminate
discrimination through the recognition,
protection, fulfillment, and promotion of the
rights of Filipino women, especially those
belonging in the marginalized sectors of the
society.
National Women's Day
RA 6949 declares the eighth day of March
every year as a special working holiday.
