Pro-women group Gabriela Party-list insists that there is no need to pursue a House bill (HB) that would protect husbands from alleged abuse at the hands of their wives.
"Amending the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children by including men as possible victims of domestic violence trivializes the fact that an overwhelming majority of victims of domestic violence are women," Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said in a statement late Monday afternoon, July 11.
Brosas was referring to the bill that seeks to protect "ander de saya" or henpecked husbands.
Although she didn't mention it, she is believed to be alluding to House Bill (HB) No.1365, or the proposed Domestic Violence Act of 2022. The measure was filed by fellow lady lawmaker, neophyte PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita “Migs” Nograles.
Nograles's team played up HB No.1365 on Monday morning, causing media outlets to pick it up.
Brosas claimed that, with such measures, husbands "can easily file a case for physical injury" against their wives.
"Domestic abuse is about power and control. Therefore, in an abusive relationship, only one person can be the aggressor. And to be called an abuser, you have to have the upper hand in terms of social and monetary capital. In the Philippine society, where misogyny and sexism are rampant, men always have the upper hand," the militant solon said.
Brosas said that according to the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), one in four Filipino women aged 15 tp 49 has experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence by their husband or partner.
"In 2020, the number of cases of violence against women and children reported in the Philippines reached more than 11,000. Moreover, this data is just the tip of the iceberg, considering that not all victims report their abusers due to fear of retaliation," she said.
"We urge our fellow lawmakers to reevaluate the proposed 'ander de saya' bill and instead join the call for the passage of much more relevant amendments to the Anti-VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children) Law like our proposed HB 403 or the Expanded Violence Against Women and Children Act which defines electronic violence against women and children," Brosas added.