DECS MEMORANDUM NO. 201, s. 1998, May 15, 1998

INTEGRATING REPUBLIC ACT 8353, THE ANTI-RAPE LAW OF 1997 IN THE BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM

National Administrative Register May 15, 1998
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1. Violence against women is a pervasive phenomenon in many countries around the world. Women who suffered violence and abuse are left to deal with their traumatic experiences often without the support of their families. In fact, victims are invariably faced with social stigma, ostracism and cruel scrutiny by the society they live in. It is said that violence against women arises from unequal gender relations where male control over women is a matter of right as dictated by societies’ norms and institutions. A woman is at once at risk and vulnerable to violence simply because of her gender. Ways to prevent/minimize violence against women have been instigated by both government and nongovernment organizations, notably the General Recommendation 19 on Violence Against Women from a UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), in 1992.

2. In view of the increasing incidence of violence against Filipino women, particularly domestic abuse, sexual harassment, rape and others, President Ramos has signed Republic Act 8353, the new Anti-Rape Law of 1997. The new law is a landmark legislature which directly addresses sexual abuse and violence among Filipino women. Details on the law are in closed.

3. To support the advocacy campaign for the Anti-Rape Law, all schools are enjoined to integrate appropriate topics of the law in such subject areas as Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP), Sibika at Kultura and HEKASI in the elementary level and History in the secondary level, among others whenever applicable. Schools are also encouraged to promote awareness among parents and community members on the Anti-Rape Law through various school-based activities such as PTA meetings and the like.

4. The integration of the Anti-Rape Law in the abovementioned subjects aims to promote a continuous preventive education program specifically for young men, women and children on Violence Against Women (VAW).

5. Immediate and extensive dissemination of this Memorandum is enjoined.

Adopted: 15 May 1998

(SGD.) ERLINDA C. PEFIANCO
Secretary

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