Measuring Violence against Women: The Philippine Experience

Measuring Violence against Women: The Philippine Experience by Ms. Anna Jean G. Casañas Statistical Coordination Officer National Statistical Coordination Board International Seminar on Gender StatisticsSheraton Incheon Hotel, Republic of Korea 12 – 14 November 2013

Outline of the Presentation • Introduction • Women’s Safety Module in the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) • Results from the Women’s Safety Module • Challenges in the measurement of VAW • Ways Forward

I. Introduction • Per National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Resolution No. 6, Series of 2001, Violence against Women (VAW) is defined as… • “an act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life. It encompasses all forms of violation of women’s rights, including threats and reprisals, exploitation, harassment, and other forms of control.”

Women’s Safety Module in the NDHS • 2008 NDHS Women’s Safety Module (WSM) • a separate module added for the first time, which probes into women’s experiences of violence – physical and sexual • information on spousal violence – covering all forms of VAW was also collected: • 1. physical violence; • 2. sexual violence; • 3. emotional violence; and • 4. economic violence • respondents were women aged 15 – 49 who were either: • a. never married; • b. married or living together; or • c. divorced/separated/widowed. Grouped together in the survey as “Other forms of violence”

Women’s Safety Module in the NDHS

Women’s Safety Module in the NDHS • Three Specific Built-in Protection in WSM • Only one eligible woman in each HH is asked of VAW • Informed consent was obtained before start of individual interview; additional statement before start of WSM informing respondent that succeeding questions could be sensitive and reassuring confidentiality of responses • WSM was implemented only in privacy; if privacy could not be obtained, skip module, thank the respondent and end the interview

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module • Now… • What do the results of the 2008 NDHS tell us? • What are the challenges faced by women in the Philippines? • How much do they suffer? • Who are the perpetrators of VAW?

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module • One in five women aged 15 - 49experienced physical violence since the age 15! • Almost one in 10 women aged 15-49 experienced sexual violence since age 15! Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module Persons committing physical violence • It is very alarming to know that women in the Philippines are not safe even in their own homes! • For women who have ever been married, the main perpetrators of physical violence are their husbands. • Among never-married women, the main perpetrators are the mothers, fathers, • sisters/brothers and current boyfriends. Percentage who reported specific persons who committed the violence, by marital status, Philippines 2008 Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module Persons committing sexual violence • Similar to physical violence, the current husband/partner is the main perpetrator of sexual violence, accounting for 60.5% of the cases! • While among the never married women, 58% experience sexual violence at the hands of their current boyfriend. Percentage who reported specific persons who committed the violence, by current marital status, Philippines 2008 Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module Among the ever-married women, 14.4% of them experience physical violence perpetrated by their husbands. Forms of Spousal Physical Violence 8 9 Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module While for sexual violence, 8.0% of the ever-married women experience such violence perpetrated by their husbands. Forms of Spousal Sexual Violence 6 Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module Most common forms include insulting the woman or making her feel bad about herself, 11%, followed by not allowing her to engage in any legitimate work nor practice her profession, 9%. Forms of Spousal Emotional/Economic Violence 11 9 Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module Almost 4 out of 100 pregnant women experience physical violence! Sadly, this does not only put the mother at risk, but also the unborn child. Violence during Pregnancy Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module Degree of marital control exercised by husband Most commonly reported controlling behavior exhibited by husband is: jealousy or anger when the woman communicates with other men. Percentage of ever-married women age 15-49 whose husbands have ever exhibited specific types of controlling behaviors, by current age Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module • Among women who have ever experienced physical or sexual violence… • 26.9% fought back verbally; • 21.2% fought back physically; and • 17.5% sought help Response to Violence Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

III. Results from the Women’s Safety Module Sources from which help was sought • Among all those who sought help, women are most likely to have sought help from their own family at 45%, while 29% of them sought help from friends • Only 9.3% and 6.0% of them sought help from the police and social service organizations. Percentage who sought help from specific sources, by type of violence experienced Source: 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), National Statistics Office (NSO)

IV. Challenges in the measurement of VAW • Collecting valid, reliable, and ethical information on violence poses challenges because: • What constitutes violence or abuse varies across cultures and individuals; • Culture of silence surrounds domestic violence that can affect reporting; • Specific ethical concerns - sensitivity of topic, safety of respondents and interviewers when asking about domestic violence in a familial setting, and protection of women disclosing violence

V. Ways Forward • In measuring VAW… • Establish and plan tools and procedures by using sets of specific questions for women • Ensure confidentiality and privacy during the interview • Ensure the validity of the information on domestic violence • Ensure the security of the respondent as well as the interviewer

V. Ways Forward • Last August 2013, the Philippines NSO has conducted the tenth NDHS, which again included the Women’s Safety Module. Prior to its inclusion, series of consultative forums to solicit comments and suggestions were conducted. • Recognizing the need to institutionalize collection of VAW statistics, the Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP) 2011-2017, specifically the Chapter on Statistics on Children and Gender Development, included the institutionalization of the Women’s Safety Module in the NDHS as one of its statistical programs. • Further review of the objectives and questionnaire of the Module and expansion of its coverage were also included the PSDP.

Mabuhay and Thank you! /NSCBPhilippines @NSCBPhilippines /NSCBInfo http://www.nscb.gov.ph info@nscb.gov.ph NSCBInfo@gmail.com

Measuring Violence against Women: The Philippine Experience