BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The Regional Gender and Development Committee in Caraga, chaired by Regional Director Alexander Makinano of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), has called on the key stakeholders to intensify intervention programs to stem violence against women in the region.

The call was made during the recent meeting of the RGADC, where Makinano revealed that abuses, discrimination, and violence against women and girls remain as the pressing issues in the Caraga region that require urgent action. 

“In the Caraga Region, women and girls face multiple forms of abuse, discrimination, and violence that profoundly impact their wellbeing. Physical violence remains highly prevalent, with 25.2 percent of women having experienced it in their lifetime, according to the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NHDS). This is an increase from 23.7 percent in the 2017 NDHS, representing a 6.33 percent rise in the prevalence of lifetime physical violence against women and girls in Caraga Region over the five-year period,” Makinano said.

He emphasized that men play a significant role in ending violence against women and girls by strengthening intervention programs and the engagement of men in these programs. 

“Men's anti-violence programs are informed by the understanding that violence against women hurts women and that men have the influence to reduce violence by changing their attitude and behavior and by intervening to prevent other men's violence,” he explained.

He cited the relevance of Men Oppose to Violence Against Women and their Children Everywhere (MOVE) as an organization in the Caraga region that initiates various activities to increase the level of awareness among men about the policies, laws, and programs of the government that protect and promote the rights of women and children.

“There have been workshops participated in by the members of MOVE on understanding VAW and the laws that protect the welfare of women and children, as well as the pivotal role of men in the family. Young males, including students in elementary and high schools in the different barangays, are also engaged in the campaign to inculcate the concept of being responsible members in their respective communities,” highlighted Makinano.

MOVE is an advocacy on gender and development and women empowerment. This is an organization of men who oppose violence everywhere, which is aligned with the GAD council, and it is expected that all government agencies and local government units have it.

Another known program  is the Kalalakin-an nga Tinud-anay sa ilang Responsibilidad ug Obligasyon [in Cebuano] or Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya [in Filipino]  or KATROPA, which was launched under the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Program. 

“We also acknowledge that the KATROPA has contributed to the improvement of men’s participation in our campaign against VAW,” Makinano said.

“Apart from initiating programs that make men active in working with women towards sustainable development, away from violence and abuse, the implementation of the KATROPA program is also fostering livelihood opportunities and aiding educational programs,” Makinano added.

Tristan Amante, project development officer of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) inAgusan del Norte, served as one of the active members of KATROPA and MOVE in Caraga.

“We will continue with our cause down to the barangays so that men can really help advocate against VAW and be able to help women as our partners in progress,” Amante said.

It can be recalled that the KATROPA program was launched in 1999 and targets an increased adoption of family planning methods, especially in non-scalpel vasectomy. It also aims to improve health-seeking behavior among men and decrease the incidence of gender-based violence. (JPG/PIA-Caraga with a report from CPD-Caraga)