women and violence

Violence against women is not limited to domestic violence, wife battery, rape, trafficing and forced prostitution. It includes violence in armed conflict, such as murder, systematic rape, sexual slavery and forced pregnancy. It also includes honour killings, dowry-related violence, female infanticide and prenatal sex selection in favour of male babies, female genital mutilation, and other harmful practices and traditions.

Below are just some forms of violence committed against women in the Philippines:

Domestic violence, especially wife beating, is the most wide-spread form of violence committed against women. While, news on domestic violence is nothing new in the Philippines, it recently hogged the limelight so to speak when one member of the "upper-class" came out and told her story.

Recently, Plinky Recto, a tv-personality and Pilates instructor, sister to Sen. Ralph Recto and Vice-Gov. Ricky Recto, grabbed the headlines. Nope, it was not for her effectiveness as a host nor was it for her Pilates business but because she announced to the public that she was a victim domestic violence.

In her numerous interviews, she stated that the four-years she stayed with her partner was a nightmare., that she has a permanent neck injury brought about by the abuse and that her son was "kidnapped" by her partner.

In her numerous statements and inteviews she refused to give the public the name of her partner, stating that he is so influencial and has many "agents" that can make life miserable for her, her families and friends.

Pressed for clues in her interview in the Buzz Sunday, Ms. Recto gave a clue: the man was one of the reasons Gen. Jarque went into exile.

(for more into this matter, you might want to check this site out: http://plinkyrecto.blogspot.com/ - this blog sheds light into the indentity of Ms. Recto's partner as well as issues affecting her case)

Gabriella, the women's activist group is supporting Ms. Recto on this matter. Lets hope that this case will have a positive ending.

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Verbal Abuse -- this too is a common form of abuse against women. Wife, girl friends and yes even employees are subjected to this form of abuse. Words such as boba, stupid, good for nothing can and will lead to the decrease of self-worth and confidence of these women, making them feel that they are second rate citizens.

Other forms of verbal abuse are offensive jokes and innuendos on sex, sexuality, gender bias and women.

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Violence in War and Conflicts -- In Mindanao, especially in the war torn areas of Jolo, women continue to be affected either directly or inderctly.

Abuses are not limted to sexually assults to women and children as strategies to war, but more on their rights to live as a decent human being. Her (and her children's) right to basic necessities such as food, water and shelter as well as education is deminished.