Black eyes, split lips, eye damage, fractured noses, permanent hearing loss, broken ribs and internal bleeding; and that’s not counting the emotional damage. Violence and various types of abuse against women remain a very real problem both here in the Philippines and worldwide.  | | The Pink House |
I have come here today to meet some of the dedicated team who work at the Women and Children Friendly Centre in the busy capital of Cebu island. Lovingly referred to as ‘The Pink Centre,’ so-called after its vibrant exterior decoration, the centre stands proudly on the grounds of the Vincente Soto Memorial Hospital. Officially opened in 2001, it provides a number of essential services to those in crises. Staff work in a voluntary capacity in addition to their regular jobs at the adjacent hospital. Dr Madeline Amadora, co-ordinator, informs me that staff have undergone advanced training at the Children’s Protection Centre in Manila. As a consequence “A very different setting and atmosphere is created. To date, we have admitted more than eight thousand patients both within Cebu and other outlying islands – a tremendously important resource” stresses Dr Amadora. Teresita Schaap, who has long assisted with both fund raising and project management, maintains an active presence in the office explains the centre’s origins. "The idea for a centre of this type was initiated by Senator Vincente Soto and Dr Felomina De Los Santos in 1996, and is meant to act as a one stop shop crises centre." | "Filipino men don't believe it’s a problem; this springs from our macho culture." | | Teresita Schaap |
This neatly sums up the services provided to victims: intervention counseling which includes medical examination, police and legal assistance and a 24 hour shelter. Furthermore, the centre is now developing an advocacy/outreach progamme, dispensing services to remote rural communities affected by domestic violence and informing women about the centre. Finance is generated through both continual fund-raising from donors, both public and private, and international to include UNICEF and the British Embassy in Manila, and annual events hosted by the Zonta International, one of the principal donors to the centre. Every two years a golf tournament is held, the aptly titled Z-cup. However the centre is in need of funds to assist in the provision of gender-sensitive legal advice, and will only continue to function as long as significant grants are made. Domestic violence is a worldwide phenomenon, cutting across social classes, cultures and races. The problem has been perceived that women are subordinate and inferior to men, no less so in the Philippines says Teresita. "Filipino men don't believe it’s a problem; this springs from our macho culture.” There are some intriguing reasons why abused women stay in relationships. Some women say that it isn’t easy to break the financial and emotional bonds particularly where children are concerned. A related problem is that abused women and their families often have no where to go. Furthermore, there is ample evidence that trying to leave such a relationship may precipitate brutal attacks on the children.  | | Pam Thompson & Dr. Madeline Amadora |
For the next 18 months Pam Thompson from Edmonton, Canada is offering her skills as a child psychologist and a VSO volunteer. “The primary reason I’m here is to build the capacity of the centre to assess and treat abused or traumatized children." With over twenty years experience in her field, Pam is full of genuine praise, "the level of commitment in the advocacy of children’s rights is wonderful. The centre is further ahead than I had anticipated. I am really impressed by the services it offers with the sometimes limited resources available." What of the future? Next stop, the 1st Livelihood Training Programme for survivors, those affected by the issue “Who are willing to change their lives and become financially independent from their partners.” Today, perhaps we should start talking about the issue not as private matter, but as a serious community ill. Stopping starts with people changing their attitudes towards violence and women. No one deserves to be physically abused or emotionally tortured. One can’t help but wish the staff of ‘The Pink Centre’ the very best for the future as they continue their fight for human dignity and happiness.
| 
