Women's desks crucial during period of rehabilitation
Nancy: 'Gender-based support needed at disaster-struck areas'

As efforts to restore homes and to rebuild lives continue in disaster-devastated areas in Central and Western Visayas, Sen. Nancy Binay appealed to local authorities to pay attention in providing gender-based support against violence and abuse to victims and survivors.

"It has come to my attention that there are currently no children's and women's desks in our police installations in Leyte and other areas affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda. Aside from this, there is no clear-cut functioning mechanism that handles reported cases relating violence and abuse, most especially rape," Binay said.

The lady senator emphasized that there should be, at least, one functioning police women's desk for all municipalities, particularly in disaster-hit areas. She also noted that the Philippine National Police (PNP) should deploy women officers who can handle these cases especially during this critical period of recovery.

"Women's concerns should not be taken lightly and it is our responsibility to stay true to the government's mandate to uphold the rights of our women and children. The circumstances brought about by the wrath of Yolanda are extraordinary and should be dealt accordingly," Binay said.

"The offenses, particularly rape, done to women and children should be handled with utmost care and sensitivity. Kung titignan at iisipin po natin, matinding paghihirap at trauma na po ang naranasahan ng ating mga kababaihan noong nanalasa ang bagyo, Tingnan po nating ang dusa at paghihirap na mararanasan na kayo na nga ang nawalan ng bahay, kabuhayan at mga mahal sa buhay tapos pagsasamantalahan ka pa? Walang babaeng kakayanin ang ganoong pighati," Binay said.

Binay detailed that rape cases should be given priority by the police and must be resolved as soon as possible, with the offenders brought to justice, as this can help hasten the victims' recovery.

Binay also noted that there are already efforts to address gender-based support. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and medical facilities provider Hospitalier built a mobile emergency maternity unit that caters to the medical needs of women right after Yolanda hit Leyte. The mobile facility, which provides services for pregnant and lactating women and as well as rape survivors, was turned over to the local government of Palo, Leyte.

According to UNFPA national program officer Dr. Michael Signh, who led the turnover of the women-sensitive facility, issues like rape and violence against women are given least priority during calamities as the authorities tend to focus more on providing disaster relief and conducting restoration efforts.

"Ngayong nagsisimula na tayong bumangong muli, nawa ay hindi natin malimutan ang mga biktima na nakaranas ng matinding pagdurusa. Kailangan pa rin nila ng ating pag-aaruga at suporta," Binay concluded.