Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-latoc said ‘the fight for gender equality does not fall on the shoulders of women alone.”
“In fact, it is a collective effort from everyone in society. But men can do a lot to uphold women's rights and protect them,” Palpal-latoc, a lawyer, stressed.
He spoke on the important role of men in the fight against Violence Against Women (VAW) during the recent oathtaking of the CHR MOVE (Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere).
"Together, let us actively contribute towards a VAW-free Philippines, not only by speaking out against VAW and encouraging male involvement in the elimination of VAW, but more importantly, in changing harmful gender norms and stereotypes that perpetuate violence," he said.
The CHR had earlier said that cases of VAW are unfortunately rooted in low education. More often than not, it said, those who suffered from domestic abuse sadly become perpetrators themselves.
"Men can become more likely to perpetuate violence if they have low education, a history of child maltreatment, exposure to domestic violence against their mothers, harmful use of alcohol, unequal gender norms including attitudes accepting of violence, and a sense of entitlement over women," the CHR said.
In the same vein, the CHR said that women can become more likely to experience intimate partner abuse if they, too, have low education or exposure to their own mothers being abused by a partner.
They are also susceptible if they experienced abuse during childhood and have lived in a culture where male privilege and women's subordinate status are upheld, it said.
All over the world, almost one-third (30 percent) of women who have been in a relationship report that they have experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner in their lifetime, it said citing a report.
In the Philippines, the CHR said recorded data of the Philippine National Police (PNP) also reveal that live-in partners or spouses are the most common perpetrators of VAW.
The CHR noted that VAW has been a widespread human rights violation not just in the Philippines, but all over the world. Unfortunately, cases of abuse remain unreported because of the shame and stigma surrounding it, it added.
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