Year after year, 1 in 3 women around the world experience various forms of discrimination and violence, resulting in a traumatic experience and isolation. Thankfully, after years of development and revisions, many laws and acts have risen to protect all forms of discrimination among women. This includes the R.A 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, R.A 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harrassment Act , and R.A 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act. All these acts provide a massive contribution in protecting the rights and well-being of women in our society.
Republic Act No. 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, is a legislation designed to confront the widespread issue of violence against women and their children (VAWC) perpetrated by their intimate partners. These partners may include husbands, ex-husbands, live-in partners, former live-in partners, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, dating partners, or former dating partners. The law aims to provide protection, support, and legal remedies for victims of such violence, ensuring their safety and well-being.
This act extends its protection to Wives, Former wives, Women with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, Women with whom the offender has a common child , and children below 18 years of age or those incapable of taking care of themselves.Not just all that. RA 9262 also provides a legal framework for protection, prevention, and remedy.
Other act that support the rights and well-being of women is the R.A 7877. Republic Act No. 7877, or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act is an act declaring sexual harassment unlawful in the work areas, education, and other purposes. Under this act, work, education,or training related sexual harassment is “committed by an employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent of the employer, teacher, instructor, professor, coach, trainor, or any person who, having authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another in a work or training or education environment, demands, requests or otherwise requires any sexual favor from the other, regardless of whether the demand, request or requirement for submission is accepted or not by the object of said act.”
RA 7877 defines sexual harassment as when someone in a position of authority, influence, or moral ascendancy demands sexual favors from another person. This includes when someone:
Is under the care, custody, or supervision of the offender
Has their education, training, apprenticeship, or tutorship entrusted to the offender
Makes sexual favors a condition for passing a grade, receiving honors or scholarships, or receiving a stipend, allowance, or other benefits
Creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for the student, trainee, or apprentice.
R.A 11313, also known as Safe Spaces Act or "Bawal Bastos Law" covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplace, as well as online space.
The Safe Spaces Act supplements the existing Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995. Local government units (LGUs) are primarily responsible for enforcing the law. Their duties include:
Passing an ordinance to localize the law
Posting copies of the law and ordinance in conspicuous places
Providing measures to prevent GBSH in educational institutions
Discouraging and imposing fines on GBSH
Creating an anti-sexual harassment hotline
Coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the implementation of the law.
Additionally, RA 11313 aims to ensure the equality, security, and safety of every individual, in both private and public spaces, including online and in workplaces.
In conclusion, these acts protecting women from all forms of discrimination plays a crucial role in providing their parts and objectives in order to stop the violence among women. The existence of these implementations helps not just for the improvement of women's well-being, but their whole emotional, physical, social, and spiritual aspects. With the implementation of these Anti-Violence against women acts, the rights of women in every form of life potentially increases, bringing back their old posture and self-esteem as they go on with their lives.
References:
Protecting Women and Children through RA 9262
<https://philippinelawfirm.com/other/understanding-vawc-protecting-women-and-children-through-ra-9262/>
Republic Act 7877: The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995
<https://pcw.gov.ph/faq-republic-act-7877-anti-sexual-harassment-act-of-1995/#:~:text=Under%20RA%207877%2C%20work%2C%20education,the%20object%20of%20said%20act.%E2%80%9D>
<https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1995/02/14/republic-act-no-7877/>
<https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/2826#:~:text=Against%20one%20who%20is%20under,the%20student%2C%20trainee%20or%20apprentice.>
Republic Act No. 11313: Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law)
<https://cityofcauayan.gov.ph/bawal-bastos-law/#:~:text=11313%3A%20Safe%20Spaces%20Act%20(Bawal%20Bastos%20Law)%E2%80%8B,-June%201%2C%202023&text=What%20does%20the%20Safe%20Spaces,as%20well%20as%20online%20space.>
<https://ogletree.com/international-employment-update/articles/july-2020/philippines/2020-05-26/safe-spaces-act-increases-protections-against-sexual-harassment-online-and-in-workplaces-in-philippines/#:~:text=11313%20(known%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9CSafe,including%20online%20and%20in%20workplaces.>
Image 1- 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women
<https://stclaresmedicalcenter.com/18-day-campaign-to-end-violence-against-women-2/>
Image 2
<https://twitter.com/endvawc_ph>
Image 3- Republic Act 7877: The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995
<https://pcw.gov.ph/faq-republic-act-7877-anti-sexual-harassment-act-of-1995/#:~:text=Under%20RA%207877%2C%20work%2C%20education,the%20object%20of%20said%20act.%E2%80%9D>
Image 4
<https://www.divinalaw.com/dose-of-law/safe-and-sound-2-game-changer/>
Image 5- Elimination of Violence against Women
<https://sdgresources.relx.com/special-issues/elimination-violence-against-women-2021>