Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo assured on Monday, Feb. 14, “a violence against women-free environment” in all courts and offices of the judiciary in the country.

The assurance was given as the SC commenced its online program to support the “2022 One Billion Rising Global Campaign: Rise for the Bodies of All Women, Girls and the Earth” which is celebrated on Valentine’s Day.

Gesmundo reiterated the SC’s call and commitment to put an end to violence and all forms of discrimination against women.

The Chief Justice’s message was contained in a press statement issued by the SC’s public information office (PIO).

Amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Gesmundo noted that some women found themselves in a lockdown with their abusers and with no opportunity to access help.

Also, he observed that gender-based violence has evolved with the advent of technologies as “abusers exploit new technologies, like mobile applications, as avenues for exerting their power over their victims.”

He stressed: “Truly, we cannot close our eyes and pretend that this is not happening. The right of women (be they cisgender, transgender, or those who hold fluid identities) to security, dignity, equality, and justice must be respected. Stopping this kind of violence, thus, cannot take a back seat, even during the time of the pandemic.”

Thus, he said: “We, in the Judiciary, are not mere by-standers in this fight against all forms of violence against women. Even at the height of the pandemic, we have continued to provide access to courts to those who need it most by taking advantage of current available technology. We have also exhorted our courts to give primacy to cases involving women and children, particularly those with applications for protection orders.”

At the same time, Gesmundo said that within the judiciary “we have reinforced the urgent need to use gender-fair language as a tool to combat any implicit form of discrimination.”

“Truly, we are meeting the challenges of delivering justice to this vulnerable sector even during these difficult times,” he stressed.

He noted that it was not a coincidence that the global event is celebrated on Valentine’s Day -- a day of love, passion, and commitment which are the rudiments of activism and advocacy.

He pointed out that “activism and advocacy see the injustices in our midst and call our attention to them so we may become aware and involved in finding solutions to correct them.”

Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier and Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the SC Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary, respectively, echoed the Chief Justice’s sentiments.

Justice Javier rallied the public to rise for all Filipino women and for “their dignity, rights, freedoms, and bodies.”

“Let us shout in unison, women’s bodies deserve nothing but abiding respect. Mga kababaihan, tumindig at manindigan! (To all women, rise up and stand for your rights),” Javier stressed.

For his part, Justice Inting said:

“We belong to one family. We are brothers and sisters. Together, let us end gender-based violence.”

The PIO said that during the virtual kick-off of online programs, 2021 Ms. Universe Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez also gave a message to all women who have the innate ability to survive and push forward.

Gomez said: “I implore you to keep fighting the good fight because you are a woman of strength...of ambition...of perseverance. You are a woman of power. We yield strength. And I wish for everyone to draw on that strength to speak up against violence and to push the goal of this movement.”