Breaking The Silence: VAW Curriculum and Community-Based System

Violence against women is a global concern, and its control remains challenging, particularly in the context of the Philippines. Despite existing laws aimed at mitigating this issue, many women continue to endure in silence, while dealing with the social stigma and feelings of shame. Addressing this pressing need is crucial to providing support and empowering these women. This study aims to investigate the experiences of women facing violence and the role of education sectors, and local government units, in responding to and preventing violence against women. This study uses a qualitative method employing participatory action research. As a result, many participants highlighted the prevailing culture of silence and the associated stigma that discourages victims from speaking out, often driven by fear of judgment, and societal perceptions, leading to feelings of shame. As to the community, government agencies implement policies and processes effectively, however, there is a lack of established group support that will help victims of violence create safe spaces and dialogue on the issues. Concerning the role of education, participants expressed an integration of Violence Against Women topics into various social studies, gender subjects, and health education to promote awareness and foster an inclusive environment.