Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Wednesday is calling for an end to violence against women and children as the country marks International Women’s Day.
Duterte said that the task of ending domestic violence may be “insurmountable” but not “impossible.”“We need to strengthen protection mechanism against domestic violence, home workplaces and online communities,” she said in her speech addressing the Philippine Council for Women and United Nations Women in Taguig. As chief of the Department of Education (DepEd), Duterte also cited some of the agency’s initiatives in protecting students from violence. Among these programs include the “DepEd Learners TeleSafe Contact Center” where students can report acts of exploitation and violence. “The DepEd is committed in protecting the rights of children in basic education,” Duterte said.
Addressing teenage pregnancy
According to a Philippine Statistics Authority report, teenage pregnancy among women aged 15 to 19 stood at 5.4% in 2022. The highest percentage was recorded among 19-year-olds (13.3%), while the lowest was among 15-year-olds (1.4%). Duterte said teenage pregnancy should not be a hindrance for women to pursue their dreams and finish their education.
