Robredo: ‘Women who earn their own money are stronger in fighting off abuse’
Rep. Lani Robredo of Camarines Sur addresses the annual Cebu Provincial Women’s Congress at the Capitol social hall. She shared her experiences in Naga City where housewives were given livelihood opportunities. “Economic empowerment”, she said, was the turning point of their advocacy because nothing else succeeds without ensuring this for women. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
Letting a woman earn her own income is a sure way to empower her.
If she is a battered wife, this is how she can find the strength to break away from an abusive relationship, said Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo yesterday.
Robredo was the keynote speaker in the 15th Women’s Congress of the Cebu provincial government held at the Capitol social hall.
She shared her experience as a lawyer to battered women for over 16 years and a former president of the Naga City Council of Women.
No program to save abused women can succeed without providing them a way to develop their financial capacity, she said.
“Give a women power over the purse and you open a door to marvelous opportunities. She can build a business from scratch. She puts household income to better use by prioritizing schooling and health. She saves and invests for the future and quality of life for the entire family improves,” she said, addressing almost 600 women from all over Cebu.
The congress was mounted by the Provincial Women’s Council (PWC) headed by Gov. Hilario Davide III and co-chairperson Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who were both present.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale share the stage before Robredo’s keynote speech on women empowerment at the Capitol social hall. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
Magpale later presented the PWC’s accomplishment report for the last 12 months.
It said the council has provided shelter to 4,600 victims of child abuse and 16 adult victims and is starting to build a Women’s Crisis Center in barangay Lahug.
Their latest case, still in progress, is the rape of a five-month-pregnant housewife who was assaulted by two men who broke into the family’s rented house in Naga City last week. The PWC has placed her family in a shelter and is helping her husband, a carpenter, apply for the Witness Protection Program. (See related story on xxx)
The widow of the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Jesse Robredo described how Naga city, which used to be led by Jesse as mayor, shifted the focus of its women’s advocacy to economic empowerment.
“If women are financially independent and economically empowered, chances are, they are stronger in fighting off abuse,” she said.
She noted that abused women who are financially-dependent on their spouses, keep returning to their abusive relationships even though they are aware they are victims of violence.
The turning point comes when they have the means to stand on their own financially.
“Chances are, when women are abused, they will have the strength to fight back because no matter how many campaigns we conduct on violence against women or gender equality and sensitivity, if women are not economically empowered, then everything is futile,” said Robredo.
This is the direction Robredo is now taking, not only in Naga city, but also in other towns outside her district.
Aside from the City Council of Women, a federation of all women organizations in Naga, the council has brought decision-making to housewives in the grassroots.
Ever since barangays were left to prepare the list of activities for Gender and Development (GAD), programs have become deeper and more meaningful.
“Before, the budget for GAD funds were only spent on parties, ballroom dancing, etc. which weren’t really essential,” she said.
When her husband Jesse was still Naga city mayor, the city government would buy the products and services of women’s groups.
“We asked if the city government would be open to giving space to our women micro-entrepreneurs. We looked into what services and materials the city was contracting and asked if it would be possible to have the women provide them if they can,” said Rep. Robredo.
Women’s groups were trained in catering services then were hired to handle functions in City hall.
Those who knew how to sew at home were given high-speed sewing machines. They ended up sewing curtains for City Hall, togas for public school graduations, uniforms for summer basketball leagues, shirts during conventions, among others.
“Because those items which the city government could buy outside were made by our women, those who didn’t have jobs before were given a livelihood,” said Robredo.
The congresswoman is the principal author of House Bill No. PS00157, otherwise known as “Gender And Development (GAD) Fund.” She has asked national government agencies and local government units to implement Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women) by allocating a percentage of their budgets, official development assistance and soft loans for gender and GAD projects.
At the end of her speech yesterday, Robredo said that women empowerment is not about having a bigger voice in society nor is it about who is stronger.
She said that society will be better off with men and women working together.
“Just like a dance, it’s all about being strong in our own roles, in the ebbs and flow of life. We should collaborate better so we can better support each other in those roles,” she said.