On issues pertaining to Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), Department of Health (DOH) Mimaropa Medical Officer IV Dr. Sahlee Montevergin-Sajo said in a Virtual Press Conference held on November 25 that women remain in the cycle of violence.
The conference is in line with the celebration of the elimination of VAWC per Republic Act 10398 declaring November 25 of every year as the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAWC, wherein government agencies are mandated to raise awareness on the problem of violence and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and children.
Sajo identified why women just could not leave from the scenario of being abused due to the following reasons: fear, belief that abuse is normal; shame; low self-esteem; love/hope for change; children; cultural/religious reasons; lack of money/resources; disability; and isolation.
Likewise, Sajo disclosed from her presentation the most commonly mentioned reasons for some women not to seek help when they are abused. She said some women admitted the violence as normal or not serious and sometimes afraid of the consequences, threats and more violence.
It also came out from her presentation that some women felt embarrassed or afraid of being blamed or not believed as well as afraid of bringing shame on their family, among others.
Sajo added that violence against women is preventable because they are humans who have rights.
Meanwhile, DOH Mimaropa Assistant Regional Director Dr. Ma. Vilma V. Diez emphasized the need to protect women from emotional, psychological and sexual abuses. Hence, DOH-Mimaropa has strengthened its advocacy to its local counterparts in all the five provinces of Mimaropa to reduce incidents of VAW, which can be achieved by empowering individuals to know and claim their rights, and to educate them where to seek help in cases of violence.
