Progressive groups in the country pushed for the elimination of gender-based violence and abuse in the workplace.
In time for the commemoration of the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women, Gabriela and Kilusan ng Mangangawang Kababaihan (KMK) launched the “I vow to fight Violence Against Women (VAW)” campaign.
The initiative, which seeks to “instill public vigilance” on cases of VAW and create a movement calling for an end to gender-based violence, was established by launching a series of workshops.
First of the series of workshops tackled VAW in the workplace.
“abang dumarami ang walang trabaho, lumiliit ang halaga ng sahod at tumataas ang presyo ay mas lalong bulnerable sa karahasan ang kababaihan lalo na ang mga mahihirap at kabataan (As unemployment rate increases, wages decrease and prices increase, making women, especially the poor and the young, more vulnerable to violence),” said Gabriela Secretary General Clarice Palce on Friday, Nov. 25.
“Mas maraming kababaihang biktima ng abuso ang napipilitang manatili sa marahas na relasyon dahil sa walang kakayahang pinansyal na suportahan ang kanilang sarili at mga anak (More women who are victims of abuse are forced to stay in violent relationships because they are unable to financially support themselves and children),” Palce added.
In relation to this, the groups decried the low minimum wage imposed throughout the country, stressing that the P575 basic pay is meager as compared with the P1,100 “family living wage.” With this, they called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to “restore a decent national minimum wage” and uphold workers’ rights.
As they continue to defend the rights of women, Gabriela will be launching more workshops in collaboration with other women’s groups. Among the topics that will be tackled in the upcoming workshops include the protection of women rights defenders and the promotion of safe spaces for women.