The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 and Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262 in the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004, R.A. No. 9262, and its other related policies have a role in the yearly observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women in the Philippines. The campaign takes place from November 25 to December 12, reminding the public of the government's efforts in the elimination of violence against women and girls, and bringing issues on such violence into the consciousness of the people. The VAWC Act 2004 defines and penalises various forms of violence against women and their children, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse, and it specifically covers women who experience abuse in intimate relationships, particularly inside marriages or romantic partnerships. Of the main elements of VAWC law, its issuance of Protection Orders is essential in providing immediate relief to women and children who undergo violence, giving them legal protection away from their abusers. R.A. No. 9262 is important as it provides a legal framework to speak to the violence that women and children experience in private settings, such as in their homes. It speaks of the complexity of intimate partner violence; it is very clear that wherever violence occurs, it must not be tolerated. Also, the law facilitates the establishing of gender-responsive policies by local government units and institutions, which means that there will always be coordinated action to support the victims.
The landmark law in the Philippines was R.A. 8353, or The Anti-Rape Law of 1997, which redefined rape and made significant improvements in the manner of how it was addressed by the legal system. Under this law, rape is no longer defined only as the physical act of forced sexual intercourse but is expanded to include other forms of sexual violence, such as sexual assault and attempted rape. Marital rape is recognized by law, thus ruling out any claim for immunity from prosecution simply because a couple is married. It further introduces easier procedures to be followed during the prosecution of rape cases especially as regards the presentation of evidence and victim-blaming to encourage the victims to come and report the abuse. There are clear guidelines as regards the protection of the victim. The judicial process of a victim of sexual violence becomes better. The importance of this law is that it takes a holistic approach at sexual violence, ensuring no individual is exempt from the law, and thereby strengthening the notion that consent becomes central in all sexual endeavors. It has given the confidence to women and children to seek justice against sexual violence and empowered them to a broader legal protection. R.A. 7877, or The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, was the first law in the Philippines that directly addressed sexual harassment in the workplace and educational settings. It recognizes that sexual harassment can occur in professional, academic, and training environments and seeks to protect individuals from unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or any form of verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects a person’s dignity, integrity, and equality in these spaces. Under the law, the employer or school administration is required to adopt measures to prevent and respond to cases of sexual harassment, and it holds perpetrators accountable. Employers and institutions are also mandated to establish clear grievance mechanisms and ensure that victims have accessible ways to report harassment without fear of retaliation. The law has been instrumental in shifting workplace and educational culture, creating safer spaces for women and marginalized individuals. It underscores the importance of creating safe spaces and the need for proactive measures to prevent harassment before it happens. Republic Act 11648, which amends the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, further strengthens the legal framework surrounding the crime of rape. One of the key amendments is the lowering of the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old, which means that any sexual act involving someone below 16 years of age is considered statutory rape, regardless of whether there was consent. This amendment aims to better protect minors from sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly by adults in positions of power. The law also addresses sexual violence in the context of domestic abuse, further clarifying that sexual violence within relationships will be prosecuted in the same way as rape, without consideration for the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. By expanding the scope of the law to include children under 16 years old, R.A. 11648 strengthens protections for minors, acknowledging the unique vulnerability of young people to sexual violence and exploitation.
R.A. 11313, also known as the Safe Spaces Act, is an all-encompassing legislation that seeks to address street-level harassment and further develop the legal framework in preventing gender-based violence. It acknowledges the fact that women and members of the LGBTQ+ are often harassed in public places, including streets, markets, parks, public transportation, and even online. The acts prohibited are catcalling, wolf-whistling, stalking, misogynistic remarks, and physical touching. Safe Spaces Act defines harassment beyond the walls of workplace and home, bringing acknowledgment about the prevalence of harassment within the public space. Penalties of offenders are clearly marked to give victims easy access for filing complaints against harassment cases. It also provides measures of prevention and punishment over cases of online harassment in modern times. This law is, therefore, a great milestone in shifting the attitudes of society to change regarding women's rights and public safety by addressing harassment as a public issue rather than a private matter. In this respect, it establishes that every citizen, man or woman, should have the right to be safe and respected in any public environment.
