Vice Gov. Quimpo Backs Up MOVE Aklan, Cites Aklan’s Rising VAWC Cases

Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo assured the members of the Men Opposed to Violence Against Women and Children (MOVE) and male advocates of women and children’s rights in Aklan of the solid support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to the MOVE’s campaign to minimize or eliminate crimes degrading women and children.

Vice Gov. Calizo-Quimpo emphasized this during the 4th MOVE Provincial Congress held at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Memorial Tourism and Training Center, Buswang Old, Kalibo. However, she expressed alarm over the rising figures on VAWC cases in the province.

Quimpo then proceeded to rattle the rising VAWC incidents in Aklan since 2005 to 2012.

According to her, the figures had been comparatively low in 2005 and 2006, the minimal number of cases was a result of the lack of information and education among the Aklanons as to the urgency of reporting cases of violence against women and children.

This is true particularly on the part of the victims who were  avoiding embarrassments in reporting what happened to them or their family members to government authorities, she pointed out.

Quimpo said a measly 46 VAWC cases had been recorded and reported in Aklan in 2005, 25 against women and 21 against children. In 2006, only 62 cases had been documented, 33 against children and 29 against women.

But as the provincial campaign against VAWC progresses and gains momentum, the documented cases became disturbing, if not alarming, starting in 2007 until this year, Quimpo stressed.

In 2007, some 605 VAWC cases were recorded, 483 against women and 122 against children. In 2008, 615 had been documented: 426 against women and 189 against children.

There were 841 cases in 2009, an average of 70 victims per month or two women or children abused everyday in Aklan. In 2010, some 417 cases were reported or an average of 43 victims per month, or 1.5 women or children abused per day.

The years 2011 and 2012 however reveal reduced figures of 411 and 278, respectively.

Quimpo cited the various enactments made by SP Aklan as proofs of its support to the campaign against VAWC.She cited the enactment by the SP of the Aklan Children’s Code and the Gender and Development Code of Aklan. /MP