Justice is a woman. But what if it is women who seek justice?
This stirring statement serves as a powerful reminder that women must play a leading role in the fight for justce and equality. Unfortunately, women are still frequently subjected to physical, emotional, economic and sexual abuses in the Philippines. The number of reported cases of violence against women and their children has significaly increased especially during this pandemic, according to the Philippine National Police. This worrying pattern emphasizes the urgent need for action to safeguard women and their children.
Nevertheless, many cases continue to go unreported despite the rise in reported cases. Because of shame, lack of access to support services, or fear of retaliation from their abusers, women may be reluctant to report abuse. In order to provide safe spaces and resources for abuse survivors, it is imperative that the government, civil society, and religious institutions collaborate.
The symbol of justice as a woman is significant because women have traditionally been excluded from decision-making and leadership roles. Women bring a unique perspective to issues of justice and human rights that cannot be overlooked. Lingap Pangkabataan’s partner communities, churches included, recognize this and play an active role in promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and children.
Through the Metro Manila Communities for Development Project, communities find ways to prevent and respond to this. They started with community dialogues to deepen their understanding of the community situation specifically what perpetuates and what can be done against VAWC. Eventually, they come up with community projects like creating safe spaces and support places for survivors to seek help and support. They facilitated community education and training for their members on gender equality, human rights, and preventing VAWC. Our community partners through the initiative of local churches amplified calls against gender-based violence and advocated for policies and programs to protect women and their children.
Prevention is also key. Churches work with their communities to address the root causes of violence against women, such as poverty, gender inequality, and harmful traditional practices. By promoting gender equality and challenging harmful stereotypes, the community we work with now recognizes and respects the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of gender.
Justice is a woman, and it is our collective responsibility to protect women and their children from violence and abuse. We must continue working together to create a society that upholds the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of gender. Churches have a crucial role to play in this effort and must take action to prevent and respond to VAWC. By doing so, we can create a safer, more just, and equitable society for all.