100% free as an advocacy that aims to enable young people to discover their original design and purpose – an identity anchored on human dignity, love and truth, stands firm in the cry to put an end to sexual abuse in women.

Section 11 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines declares that the State values the dignity of every human, person and guarantees full respect for human rights. Moreover, Section 12 of Article III of the Constitution prohibits the use of torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate the free will and mandates the compensation and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices and their families.

By virtue of Article II Section 11, it is therefore made clear that every woman has the right to live in dignity. As UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon said in 2010, “Every woman has the right to live in dignity—free of fear, coercion, violence and discrimination.”. However, for an alarming number of girls and women, these human rights are still denied.

It has come to our attention that the rising rape culture in the Philippines sadly becomes a norm, more and more women are allegedly blamed for such violence and abuse. In a police report filed in Quezon Province and as posted in their local FB Page last June 12, women were warned not to wear short clothes and then report harassment. This was then backed up by a social media declaration of a public figure, that blames women’s way of dressing as a form of inviting beasts. All of us are free to express ourselves and while women strive to be responsible for the way they dress with dignity, it is in no valid reason that the rising rape culture in the country should be attributed to this. Moreover, it is alarming that said public figure tags men as “beasts”, a large and dangerous animal, also an outright toppling down of human dignity.                

Areas in the country used to report a zero case on rape primarily because of its firm stand on protecting its culture and traditions that does not see women as an object that can be abused, whatever look our clothing they have. This very account is clear proof that women and their creativity in presenting themselves are not at fault for the incapacity of men to control themselves and their sexual tendencies. Those culture and traditions that the country used to have, and value are the very solid grounds that should have helped prevented the rise of rape culture in the country. Sadly, media in all forms already exploited human dignity especially on women.

Data obtained by the PSA from the PNP as of February 2020 indicated there were 2,162 rape cases reported to the police in 2019, 30.6 percent higher than the 1,656 cases reported in 2018. Reported cases, but a lot of stories are still left untold. Women and girls still trapped in the dark past and paths of being sexually abused.

100% Free advocacy believes that men by nature possesses the strength to break free from the traps of temptation and sin that cause disorder to God’s truth about life, love and human person. We call for the end of this toxic Rape Culture that objectifies both men and women, and call for a culture that recognizes and upholds the dignity of persons. We can put an end to this. There is still hope.

#iamFree #HijaAko