Why do acts of violence against women and children persist despite the existence of a law that prevents such incidents?

Deputy Minority Leader Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima recently filed House Resolution (HR) No. 641 to find out the answer to this question.

The resolution seeks an inquiry into the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9262, or the “Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004,” and to find ways to strengthen its enforcement and accountability mechanisms.

In filing the measure, De Lima wants to address systemic and operational gaps in the implementation of RA No.9262 and propose necessary amendments to ensure better protection for women and their children.

“The effective implementation of RA No.9262 is essential not only for the protection of individual victims but also for advancing gender equality, public safety, and social justice, consistent with the State’s obligations under domestic law and international human rights commitments,” she said.

“Emerging forms of violence, particularly those facilitated by information and communications technology (ICT), require a thorough assessment to determine if the current provisions of RA No.9262 are still sufficient to address new and emerging threats to the safety of women and children,” added the former senator.

The law was enacted nearly 22 years ago to protect women and their children from all forms of violence arising from intimate or dating relationships, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse.

Under RA 9262, the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC) was created. It is composed of agencies that are tasked with formulating programs and projects to eliminate violence against women and their children based on their mandates.

Unfortunately, violence against women and children remains pervasive.

The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveals the alarming prevalence of domestic abuse, noting that nearly one out of five women have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence by their current or most recent husband or intimate partner.

According to the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), a total of 6,883 incidents involving women and children—2,144 of which involved violations of RA No.9262—were recorded from Aug. 26 to Nov. 25, 2025, marking the highest number of reported cases for that period.

The De Lima measure also cited further studies indicating that, despite general awareness of RA No.9262, there remains limited in-depth understanding of the law, "with survivors facing barriers to accessing justice, including fear of retaliation, emotional trauma, procedural and bureaucratic delays, insufficient staffing, and a lack of survivor-friendly resources".

Given these issues in the implementation of the Anti-VAWC Law, De Lima points out that it is necessary to review and strengthen the existing protocols of the IACVAWC to ensure a more seamless, coordinated, and survivor-centered response across the various pillars of the justice system.

“We have significant laws, such as the Anti-VAWC law, but if gaps in their implementation are not reviewed and addressed, they may become outdated and continue to be exploited by abusers,” the Bicolana said.