CASES of violence against women (VAW) in Central Visayas decreased by 42 percent, from 214 cases in 2019 to 124 in 2020, according to the records of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region VII.

The decrease is due to the difficulty in accepting referrals and reaching out to VAW victims when localized lockdowns were imposed during the quarantine across the region, said DSWD 7.

The agency also said that the National Government has tapped many DSWD 7 personnel to help in the implementation of programs and delivery of services focused on easing the effects of the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, such as the Social Amelioration Program, pushing the program for VAW to the backseat.

Effects of quarantine

Other challenges