Ilocos Norte’s Zonta helping more women help themselves

LAOAG CITY—The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, a local women organization here is advancing the cause of fellow women here through a series of activism against gender-based violence.

As part of the culminating program of the 18-day campaign, a forum on human rights, trafficking in persons and parliamentary procedures related to gender-based violence will be discussed today by selected women leaders at the Laoag City hall auditorium.

Ana Carmela Ventura-Remigio, one of the spokesperson of ZCIN said reports reaching the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office increased by 110 percent comparing the 10-year period of 2004-2014 versus the 2015 to October 2016.

 “Based on statistics, violence against women and children rose by 110 percent. In a way it’s alarming because it increased but if you think about it also, it increased because there’s a bigger awareness. It prompts us to work even harder,” said Mrs. Remigio.

Over the past two weeks, the ZCIN in partnership with various local government units and other interest organizations here rounded up the two cities and 21 municipalities here to promote greater awareness on stopping violence against women and children.

Aside from the distribution of campaign banners which include hotline numbers of the city and municipality Women’s Desk of the Philippine National Police and the Social Welfare and Development Office where abused women and children could turn to, officers and members of the ZCIN has also urged chief executives and local councils here to pass resolutions and ordinances in support of the Sustainable Development Goal 5, under the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including reinforcement of the Philippine Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the “The Magna Carta of Women” that promote empowerment of women and pursue equal opportunities for women and men.

“Although there are still some women who are not yet that aware or liberalized, at least we can see that more and more are becoming aware of their rights and say no to violence against women,” says lawyer Valenie Blando, also an active member of ZCIN.

Based on cases filed for violations of RA 9262 or the so-called anti-violence against women and children’s act, Ms. Blando reported they have also observed an increase which shows that “more women are not afraid anymore to fight for their rights.”

She however noted that conviction rate remains low apparently due to economic reasons.

“Women are becoming more empowered. We hope that through our continuing efforts, we will be able to help more women become strong and be free from violence,” said Ms. Blando. (PNA)