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MANILA, Philippines 鈥� There must be no case of violence against women and their children (VAWC) in the country, former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said during a forum on ending domestic violence on Monday.

鈥淲e believe that every woman and every child has the right to live a life free from abuse, fear, and oppression,鈥� Taguiwalo said on behalf of the Zero VAWC Alliance.

The Zero VAWC Alliance, an initiative led by women鈥檚 rights advocates and VAWC survivors, aims to break the corporate culture of silence and push for stronger policies, survivor support programs, and leadership accountability.

The group hosted the forum 鈥淓nd the Corporate Culture of Silence on Domestic Violence鈥� at the University of the Philippines Center for Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies on Monday.

鈥淥ur name says it all鈥攝ero violence, not less, not fewer cases, but zero,鈥� Taguiwalo said.

Taguiwalo underscored that domestic violence is not just a private matter but a widespread issue affecting homes, communities, and workplaces.

鈥淚t is also important to recognize that victims and survivors, while primarily women and children, also include other members of the household,鈥� the former chief of the Department of Social Welfare and Development explained.

鈥淵et too often, institutions, especially corporations, have chosen to look the other way. A culture of silence persists鈥攐ne where survivors are left to fend for themselves, perpetrators are not held accountable, and systemic change is stalled,鈥� she added.

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With the continued prevalence of domestic abuse in the country, Taguiwalo called for stronger policies to protect survivors, encourage reporting, and hold perpetrators accountable.

鈥淥ur mission is clear: to contribute to the task of dismantling systems and norms that enable violence, and to build structures of support, accountability, and empowerment,鈥� she said.

She also stressed that corporations must be held responsible for ensuring safe spaces.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about holding the business sector accountable, especially its leaders, who perpetuate a culture of mutual protection to achieve business goals,鈥� she added.

Taguiwalo cited the case of Martina Bonoan, who spoke about the alleged domestic abuse her mother, Ina Bonoan, suffered at the hands of her father, Noel Bonoan.

Noel Bonoan, a former Finance undersecretary and Chief Operating Officer of KPMG Philippines, was elected president of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) in 2024 but withdrew after allegations of domestic abuse surfaced.

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Taguiwalo urged the government and private sector to take concrete steps in addressing VAWC.

鈥淐ompanies should take responsibility, whether by assisting victims or calling out perpetrators. 鈥榊an ang gusto sana natin mangyari (That鈥檚 what we want to happen.),鈥� she said.

She also challenged companies and businesses to adhere to policies against domestic violence seriously and not just through 鈥渢oken activities.鈥�

鈥淪o it鈥檚 a question of taking it seriously鈥攏ot just talking about it in terms of press releases or token activities, but really ensuring that it is embedded within the culture of the organization,鈥漈aguiwalo stressed.

She added that there must be clear mechanisms to monitor corporate practices, as well as accessible reporting channels for victims to hold businesses accountable.