Bets urged: Look after women, children’s rights

CEBU, Philippines -    Organizers of “One Billion Rising Revolution” are urging all candidates to make women and children’s rights as part of their platform of government.

Leny Ocaciones, chairperson of Gabriela Cebu, lead convenor of the OBR Cebu Campaign, said incidence of violence against women and children has increased drastically.

The OBR will be held in Cebu on February 11 as part of the global call to end all forms of violence against women and children.

The Center for Women’s Resources cited that reports of rape cases increased by 92 percent from 2010 to 2014 while domestic violence or violation of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children is also up by 219 percent in the same period.

“What is worst is that many cases also involved persons of authority and many of them remain unpunished or merely given a slap on the hand,” Ocaciones said.

In Cebu, Ocaciones noted the prevalence of cyber pornography victimizing minors despite the efforts of the provincial government and non-government organizations to rescue the victims.

“Every year, we monitor news reports of raids on cybersex dens involving foreign pedophiles as clientele. (But) Cebu remains to be one of the top cities hosting cybersex dens,” said Ocaciones.

She said in a statement that poverty remains the main driving force why many of the victims became easy targets of trafficking and cyber prostitution. 

She added that if the national government is not able to provide permanent jobs with just wages and sustainable livelihood to women and their families, the problem will continue unabated.

One Billion Rising Philippines began a call in 2013 as part of the worldwide global movement to RISE to end violence against women and children.

The Philippines joined the 207 countries around the world on February 14 last year that danced on a global day of protest and celebration.   (FREEMAN)