ubet63 Gov’t, private firms urged to help curb violence vs women, children

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The Zero VAWC Alliance holds a media forum entitled “End the Corporate Culture of Silence on Domestic Violence” on Monday, February 3, 2025 at the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies. Jown Manalo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — A women’s rights advocacy group has challenged corporations and businesses to “walk their talk” in addressing domestic violence within leadership and corporate spaces.

In a forum on Monday, the newly formed Zero VAWC Alliance emphasized that corporations, professional organizations, and even the government must acknowledge domestic violence as a “systemic issue that requires clear policies, confidential reporting mechanisms, and genuine survivor support.”

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“Companies have a duty to uphold ethical standards and promote social responsibility. Addressing domestic violence aligns with these values and can contribute to broader societal efforts to eliminate this issue,” artist and Babae Ako co-founder Mae Paner said on behalf of the group.

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The Zero VAWC Alliance includes notable personalities such as:

Mae Paner, artist and Babae Ako co-founder Judy Taguiwalo, former Social Welfare secretary Nikki Coseteng, former senator and representative Emmi de Jesus and Gert Libang, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Inday Espina-Verona, multi-awarded journalist and Babae Ako co-founder Monique Wilson, One Billion Rising global director Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB educator Edna Aquino, human rights advocate and Babae Ako co-founder

Paner cited the case of Noel Bonoan as an example of why corporations must take responsibility for preventing violence against women and children.

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Bonoan, a former finance undersecretary, was elected president of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) in 2024.

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He later withdrew from the position after allegations of domestic abuse surfaced. “Women’s rights advocates raised documented acts of domestic violence to challenge MAP over Bonoan’s election. MAP responded by announcing his withdrawal. But the tenor was off. It portrayed the executive as a hero who ‘placed our organization’s best interests above personal considerations,’” Paner said.

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“MAP ignored the very serious issue of domestic violence. It allowed Bonoan to retain his director’s seat. All for its ‘best interests,’” she added. Paner pointed out that many corporations continue to turn a blind eye to domestic abuse, treating it as a “private matter” rather than a workplace concern.

“They focus on policies and actions on public ‘reputation risk,’ excluding ‘private matters’ from their policies,” she said.

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With this, the Zero VAWC Alliance warned that ignoring the problem makes women workers more vulnerable, affecting their career growth and workplace safety.

“Perpetrators of domestic violence may bring their violent behavior to the workplace, creating a hostile and unsafe environment—not only for other employees but also for the public,” Paner explained.

The group therefore urged businesses to expand their gender and diversity policies to explicitly include domestic violence.

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They also called for a zero-tolerance policy against domestic abuse in corporate governance protocols.ubet63

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