The newly formed Zero Violence Against Women and Children (Zero VAWC) Alliance has called for corporations and institutions to take an active role in addressing domestic violence, breaking the culture of silence, and holding perpetrators accountable.

At a media forum on Monday, Feb. 3, entitled “End the Corporate Culture of Silence on Domestic Violence,” advocates, survivors, and experts emphasized the urgent need for systemic reforms that ensure survivor protections, leadership accountability, and institutional responsibility.

A Movement for Accountability

The Zero VAWC Alliance was launched in response to recent calls for corporate accountability following high-profile cases of domestic abuse linked to leadership figures in the business world. 

Advocates argue that institutions must go beyond individual resignations and implement lasting reforms that prevent abusers from remaining in positions of power.

“Survivors should not have to fight alone,” said Martina Bonoan, who publicly called for accountability after her father resigned from a major business organization amid allegations of domestic violence.

 “It should not take immense personal risk for institutions to act. We need real accountability—not just resignations, but systemic change," she added. 

United Front Against Domestic Violence

Initiated by women’s rights advocates and survivors, the Zero VAWC Alliance seeks to end the silence surrounding domestic violence in corporate spaces.

“Domestic violence is not a private matter—it affects communities, workplaces, and institutions,”  Judy Taguiwalo, former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary and one of the Alliance’s initiators said. 

“Yet too often, companies turn a blind eye, allowing abusers to remain in power while survivors are silenced," she added. 

Professor Earlen Sol Gading, UP Faculty Regent, stressed the need for corporations to take responsibility. 

“Why do companies act swiftly to protect their brand reputation but lack the same urgency in protecting workers’ dignity and rights?” she asked. “Silence protects abusers. To stay silent is to be complicit," he said. 

The Alliance urged corporations, professional organizations, and government agencies to recognize domestic violence as a systemic issue requiring clear policies, confidential reporting mechanisms, and survivor-centered support systems.

Holding Institutions Accountable

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, one in four Filipino women aged 15-49 has experienced domestic violence, yet many cases go unreported due to fear, stigma, and lack of institutional support. 

“When companies ignore domestic violence, they send a message that power and profit matter more than human dignity,” Emma de Jesus, former Gabriela Party-list Representative said.

“The Zero VAWC Alliance has developed a policy framework outlining concrete steps for institutions to address the issue. It’s time for corporations to adopt these measures and prove their commitment to ethical governance," she added.

Advocates also called on the government to do its part. Gert Libang, national chairperson of Gabriela, urged Congress to strengthen the Anti-VAWC Law, explicitly mandating corporate responsibility in addressing domestic violence.

“Companies must be held accountable not just for workplace safety, but also for how they respond to domestic violence affecting their employees,” Libang said.

A Call for Action: From Words to Change

The Zero VAWC Alliance will launch nationwide consultations to incorporate survivors’ voices into corporate policies and business practices.

“The Unity Statement of the Zero VAWC Alliance is a call to action,” Artist and activist Mae Paner said. 

“It’s not just a list of demands—it’s a commitment to fight for a future where institutions take responsibility, survivors are protected, and silence is no longer an option," she added.

Martina Bonoan emphasized the urgency of their movement:

“The truth does not become any less true just because some refuse to accept it. Own your truth. Stand tall. Speak out. We are here," Bonoan said. 

The Zero VAWC Alliance vows to keep mobilizing stakeholders, institutions, and policymakers to ensure a future free from violence and impunity.