Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify efforts to protect young women amid rising cases of sexual abuse in the country.
Abalos urged the PNP to increase protection efforts and implement the “Kuwarto ni Nene” program in communities with high rates of sexual abuse against young girls.
“Kuwarto ni Nene” is a project of the PNP designed to protect young girls and ensure their safety from sexual predators.
The PNP is also exploring the possibility of issuing a policy urging overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to inform their barangays of their departure.
The objective is for women officers from the barangay, police, and social welfare officials to conduct regular visitations to OFWs’ houses and check on the situation and condition of their children.
The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that 17.5% of Filipino women aged 15 to 49 have experienced forms of physical, sexual, and emotional violence from their intimate partners.
\Abalos commended the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) for its efforts on women and gender equality in the country, stating that the Philippines continues to be the leading Asian country in closing the gender gap according to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index Report by the World Economic Forum.