BABAE NAMAN? MALI.
BABAE NAMAN TALAGA
by Jonaren Eran
The stigma towards women may not be as widespread as before, but it is still yet to be gone. Still, despite the discrimination and some unpleasant connotations attached to them, women showcase impeccable performances on different fields. They are present ever since; was there an event where women did not show up, or at the very least, did not have a single role?
Even with such significant roles they play in an individual’s life, the treatment towards women has always been the same. They are deemed less than those who are born males. Some people would rather choose to degrade, violate, and harm, leading the government to implement laws specifically anchored towards their protection and their rights.
Among these laws are the Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 signed by then President Gloria Arroyo. It addresses the prevalence of violence against women and their children (VAWC) by their intimate partners, be it present or former. Domestic violence may fall under pre-existing laws concerning violence against one another, such as the Article 262-266 of the Revised Penal Code that states the penalties for inflicting physical injuries. Unfortunately, crimes committed to women and their children are too rampant that they are placed into specified penalties on different circumstances as amended in RA 9262.
Despite these laws, many still turn a blind eye, commit crimes, and blame women for the deeds that are not theirs. Ridiculous as it sounds, cases of rape and sexual harassment often resort to victim-blaming – that it is the victim’s mistake to wear revealing clothes or to walk in an alley filled with ill-mannered men. To set the record straight, it is never the victim’s fault, neither her clothing nor way of expressing herself. These excuses are irrelevant and unjustifiable to the offender’s sick intention.
Even amid these immoralities, women continue to rise against the stigma and fight for their rights. They are ever flexible; able to excel in their fields of work in this fast-paced world. From Gabriela Silang, Melchora Aquino, Gregoria de Jesus, and more who fought together with the Katipuneros for the country’s freedom, to Hidilyn Diaz who brought home the first ever gold and took pride of our beloved country on the Olympics’s champion’s stair; to Maria Ressa who stood up and stayed true to her values and mission; to the current Vice President Leni Robredo, whose office holds the highest audit rating from the Commission of Audit, now standing alongside male Presidential candidates.
Be it in colonial or the present times, no belittling words and lurking dangers can waive women’s abilities and stop them from doing the things they want. In a society where they are often discriminated against, judged, and stigmatized, women prove that they do not belong only in the kitchen, in the house, cleaning, as homemakers and caregivers. Women are leaders, too. Women are capable and outstanding. Women do keep up with the fast-paced world, in this society where men usually dominate.
Photo by Bruce Borja and Erika Niña Cotiangco
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𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲.
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