IN LINE with the celebration of the International Women's Day, the Davao City Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) is pushing for economic empowerment to enhance the ability of women to achieve financial security and prevent abuses from their partners.
IGDD head Lorna Mandin, in an interview with VoxPop Davao during the parade at People's Park, said that over 80 percent of the 1,764 reported abuse cases in 2018 of women were economic abuses in which the husband or the intimate partner no longer sustain the women's financial needs. This is slightly lower compared to the 2017 record that almost reached 2,000.
"When we say economic abuse, the husband no longer support or give insufficient support towards his family, wife, and children," Mandin said.
IGDD office provides legal assistance for abuse women who are being taken advantage by their partners. Thus, the theme of celebration was focused on, "Ekonomikanhong Pagpagahum sa Kababayen-an, Dalan Ngadto sa Tiunay nga Kalambuan."
Last March 6, a women's summit was held wherein several concerns were raised and recommendations were proposed which included the strengthening of financial literacy among women. It is also the directive of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to equip the women financially by stepping up related programs.
"Women economic empowerment is central to realizing the rights of women and attaining gender equality. Mao gyud na ang entry point ba nga: 'I am empowered', pero dili diay ka ka-decision kay wala kay kwarta, nagsalig ka sa laing tao, nagsalig ka sa bana biskig intimate partner na nimo. Gisulti sa mga babae nga lahi ra ug naay kwarta kay ang self-worth taas (but you can't decide because you don't have money and you rely on others like your husband. Some women said that when they have their own money, their morale is high)," Mandin added.
Although there are a lot of working women nowadays, IGDD statistics still showed high number of wives who are dependent on their partners which makes them vulnerable to abuses may it be physical, emotional, or economic.
One of the initiatives that is now being implemented by the city government is the Magnegosyo 'Ta Day, a program for women initiated by the Mayor to address the current gender inequality in the labor and economic sector in Davao City to promote women's development especially for the marginalized and the victims to be productive.
"Gipaningkamutan, in particular, ang Magnegosyo 'ta Day ni Mayor Sara nga naka lodge sa CSSDO, City Vet, City Agri and City Coop naay mga pondo nga pwede ma-access sa mga babae so muadto sila sa pinakaduol nga district office or sa barangay para ma facilitate mag-apply. Naa pod mga skills training nga ginahatag (The program can be availed in their nearest district offices or barangay councils. Skills training is also being conducted)," she added.
In 2017 to 2018, a P25-million budget was allocated for this program. For this year, no additional budget was requested on top of this. They are just rolling the repayment that was loaned from the city government.
Some 2,000 women including Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Paquibato have availed of this program which was used as capital for businesses with zero interest and longer grace period for payment.
