TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- There have been 1,485 reported cases of abused women in Cagayan Valley this year, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 02 said on Tuesday, November 21.
DSWD social worker Mylene Attaban said Isabela had 764 reported cases, the highest number among the provinces in the region. This is followed by Nueva Vizcaya with 505 cases.
Meanwhile, Cagayan had 179 cases while Qurino had 34 cases. Attaban said there are no reported cases in Batanes.
Additionally, there are 42 clients, some along with their children, residing in the regional haven in Solana, Cagayan.
This data came from DSWD through municipal social workers based in barangay and towns catering to the women’s cases.
Attaban noted, however, that there are still a lot of unreported cases because of women’s fear in the community.
Despite this, Attaban said that women are now being empowered because they are gradually reporting cases of battering not only within their family but in their community.
Zonta Club of Central Tuguegarao (ZCCT) President Doctor Madeliza Callangan shared the same opinion with DSWD. “Since may mga report ibig sabihin humihingi na sila ng tulong. Kailangan lang ng konting push pa from [non-government organization] and government,” Callangan said.
DSWD is set to continue mobilizing barangay women and children protection desks.
Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 states that violence or abuse can be through physical, psychological, sexual, and economic means.
DSWD and ZCCT forwarded women empowerment in Philippine Information Agency’s Tipon-Tipan on Tuesday. This was in lieu to the 18-day campaign to end violence against women, starting November 25. Northernforum.net
