Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo has urged a whole-of-nation approach to end violence against women (VAW) and called on every Filipino – regardless of gender, age, or background -- to actively speak up, take action to prevent violence, support survivors, promote justice, and push for meaningful change.

Gesmundo said a whole-of-nation approach means: “We do not only rely on our institutions to lead meaningful change when it comes to ending VAW. It calls upon each and every person to contribute to the advocacy in whatever capacity they can.”

The global 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women started last Nov. 25 and will end on Dec. 12.

The SC’s version of the campaign was launched with a theme “UNITED for a VAW-free Philippines: Advancing Equality, Empowering Women.”

The Chief Justice was joined in the campaign at the SC courtyard by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen; Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro–Javier; and Associate Justices Henri Jean Paul B. Inting and Jhosep Y. Lopez, who are the co-chairpersons of the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary (CGRJ); and Associate Justice Raul B. Villanueva.

Gesmundo cited four ways the judiciary can support the campaign against VAW.

He said that courts must ensure that laws protecting women are applied fairly, firmly, and without delay, guided by reforms under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations; provide regular gender-sensitivity training for all court personnel and encourage their active participation; integrate gender sensitivity in the legal profession by promoting ethical conduct and correcting improper behavior, especially in the courtroom; and continue collaborating with government agencies, civil society organizations, and the academe to raise awareness and implement preventive measures against violence.

He then commended the CGRJ, headed by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, for its tireless work in advancing gender-responsive policies and fostering a culture where safety and respect are guaranteed for all.

Finally, Gesmundo reaffirmed the SC’s commitment “to helping build a future where all women and girls live free from fear and harm.”

Justice Inting said the 18-day Campaign to End VAW is a vital movement that raises awareness against gender-based violence and inspires a future where every woman can live free from fear, inequality, and abuse.

He said that violence against women should not be treated as a private matter as he pointed out that “when a woman suffers violence, the entire justice system must respond decisively.”

Acknowledging that violence against women continues to occur in workplaces, schools, public spaces, homes, and even online, Justice Inting said that the judiciary has increased its efforts to protect women’s rights by prioritizing cases involving women and children.

Justice Lopez said: “Violence against women is not just a personal tragedy – it is a societal injustice. It destroys families, workplaces, and communities. As members of the Judiciary, we have a duty to ensure our laws protect, prevent harm, and restore dignity.”

He warned of the rapid increase in online sexual abuse and child exploitation, citing data from the Foundation for Media Alternatives showing that cases in the first half of 2025 have already doubled those recorded in all of 2024.

He added that sextortion remains the most common form of abuse—often involving threats to expose explicit content—with most cases reported in NCR, Central Luzon, and Northern Mindanao.

Most alarming, Lopez said, is that 75 percent of perpetrators are people known to the victims.

He cited Republic Act No. (RA) 9262, the Violence Against Women and their Children Act; RA 11313, the Safe Spaces Act; and RA 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act “provide strong legal protection.”

The SC said the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women reflects the government’s commitment under RA 10398, An Act Declaring November Twenty-Five of Every Year as “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children,” to protect the rights of women and girls, and address all forms of gender-based violence.