BAGUIO CITY – In line with the National Women’s Month celebration, the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) initiated an orientation on Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (MOVE) today, March 7 at DA New Conference Hall, Guisad Baguio City.
The activity aims to capacitate more men, who not only abhor Violence Against Women (VAW) but are also willing to pro-actively campaign and work towards its eradication.
Arnold Bodong of the MOVE Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) served as the resource speaker. MOVE DSWD-CAR is one of the two existing chapters in CAR. The advocacy group aims to assert and defend women’s rights in the region, and to mobilize and capacitate men to join in the group’s advocacies.
“There are also cases of violence against men but the majority of the Gender Based Violence (GBV) victims are women and children. We then as men should take an active role in speaking out against VAW,” explained Bodong.
Accordingly, reported GBV cases increased last 2022 in the Cordillera. 74% of it happened in the comfort of their homes which indicates that most of the alleged perpetrators are Common-Law-Partners. 20% are in other places such as schools, church, workplace, evacuation center, barangay hall and the likes.
Most cases reported in Baguio happened during night time while Benguet recorded the highest cases happening multiple times (day and night). Furthermore, the highest numbers of victims are ages 25-39 years old followed by 40-59 years old and 18-24 years old.
Bodong clarified that there are yet cases undocumented since victims refuse to report due to personal circumstances. Hence, if all of these cases are reported, the numbers may be higher than what was recorded. Victims are encouraged to report cases to their Barangay VAWC Desk, Police Stations, and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO). Incidents in the workplace should be reported to their respectives Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI).
Additionally, 20% of the perpetrators are construction workers, laborers, masons, and carpenters. This was followed by farmers (17%), store owner, self-employed, businessman (10%), driver, mechanic, conductor (7%), employed, call center agents, sales agent (6%) and other occupations (40%).
Bodong further urged male participants to be part of the advocacy to change the stereotype of men being perpetrators to being partners in women empowerment and gender equality, through actively joining in VAWC activities and linking with other similar groups.
DA-CAR male employees scheduled another meeting to form a MOVE group within the agency and to establish directions, commitment and activities for the said group. By Chamanei C. Elias
