MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The prayer of gender-based violence (GBV) victims which is to be given care and attention will soon come into reality with the rise of the first-ever residential care facility in the province of Lanao del Sur.
Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer Mariam Balindong Casim stressed that the provincial government has already been firmly working for the welfare of every individual in the province, seeing to it that even the disadvantaged sector will be provided with protection, rehabilitation and care.
She stated that as a new residential care facility is set to be founded to implement relevant undertakings, exploited women and children would no longer suffer in secret.
“Layunin nitong matulungan ang mga biktima ng pang-aabuso na maisaayos at manumbalik sa kanilang dating sigla sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang programa at serbisyong gagawin nitong facility katulad ng [The aim of this is to help the victims of abuse to fix and restore their usual enthusiasm with different programs and services to be led by this facility like the] social, homelife, educational, health and nutrition, recreational and other cultural services, and spiritual enrichment,” said Casim, further emphasizing that the construction of the infrastructure follows the human rights standards.
The social welfare officer bared that the prevalence rate of violence against women and children (VAWC) in the Bangsamoro region is one of the lowest across all regions in the Philippines.
However, Casim attested that there have been cases shared during their Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) and Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking (PCAT) and VAWC meetings that indeed, such cases occur in the province.
While a lot of factors are considered why this low reporting is reflected, such as but not limited to the set-out of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Development Plan from 2017 to 2022, limited financial capability to initiate legal actions, or just because the victims are ashamed to report and tarnish the reputation of their family, she strongly underlined the consequence of having no temporary shelter or facility available for the victims to address their concern or care for rehabilitation.
Casim conveyed that it is just fortunate that a response has been given with the government of the Philippines being stirred to ensure independent and thorough investigations into alleged VAWC cases so that perpetrators are held into account, and extend assistance and services to all victims.
For her office, she assured to fulfill their duty which is to identify the needs of the disadvantaged, deliver appropriate interventions, and recommend measures to deter more abuse and exploitation.
Summing up all the efforts rendered, Casim is positive that Lanao del Sur province will be fully pictured in the future as a place that is safe for all.
“We are, indeed, in transit to a completely child-friendly and safe community,” she said. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
