The Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) has reiterated its call for the protection Filipino women following the disturbing results of a recent Social Weather Station (SWS) survey.

According to the survey, one out of four or at least 25 percent of Filipino adults in the country have cited acts of violence against women as one of the most pressing problems amid the raging coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Based on the results revealed by PopCom on Tuesday, March 9, some 11 percent of the respondents said physical violence was the top concern of Filipino women among these harmful acts, followed by sexual violence and emotional violence at 7 percent each.

In Mindanao, 24 percent of adults shared the same sentiments, with 11 percent citing physical violence; 5 pecent, sexual; and 8 percent, emotional. The concern was slightly lower in the Visayas at 22 percent (6 percent physical violence, 11 percent sexual, 5 percent emotional).

The trend was higher in Metro Manila at 29 percent (13 percent physical violence, 7 percent sexual, 9 percent emotional). For the rest of Luzon, some 28 percent acknowledged the problem on violence against women (13 percent physical violence, 7 percent sexual, 8 percent emotional).

PopCom also noted an increase in the numbers of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, as stated in the fifth annual report of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law released in 2020.

Based on PNP's data in the RPRH report, a total of 19,743 cases of Violence Against Women (VAW) were recorded in the Philippines in 2019 -- a 7-percent rise from the 18,748 cases in 2018.

A majority of the cases in 2019, or a total of 15,160 cases, were violations under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Law, or the intimate partner-relationship category; while the rest fell under other forms of GBV such as rape (2,341 cases), acts of lasciviousness (1,953), concubinage (204) and sexual harassment (85).

The annual RPRH report also disclosed that VAWC is not only a violation of human rights, but is also a public-health concern as studies have shown that "violence prevents women (and children) from accessing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services." Meanwhile, PopCom Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III said that the Philippines leads the global community in championing the cause of women as evidenced by its high worldwide ranking in women empowerment and gender equality.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index places the Philippines at no.16—the only Asian nation in its Top 20—saying that the country is performing excellently in closing the gender gap when it comes to economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.

"These achievements, however, are counterbalanced by the prevalence of gender bias, as well as incidences of GBV and similar instances listed above—especially in the time of COVID-19," Perez said.

"Filipino women are vital assets of our nation. Thus, we need to ensure they are protected against practices and acts that diminish their potential as individuals and positive contributors to their immediate communities, and Philippine society at large," he emphasized.

Women's Month is celebrated the world over every March.