黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A women鈥檚 rights advocacy group has challenged corporations and businesses to 鈥渨alk their talk鈥� in addressing domestic violence within leadership and corporate spaces.

In a forum on Monday, the newly formed Zero VAWC Alliance emphasized that corporations, professional organizations, and even the government must acknowledge domestic violence as a 鈥渟ystemic issue that requires clear policies, confidential reporting mechanisms, and genuine survivor support.鈥�

鈥淐ompanies have a duty to uphold ethical standards and promote social responsibility. Addressing domestic violence aligns with these values and can contribute to broader societal efforts to eliminate this issue,鈥� artist and Babae Ako co-founder Mae Paner said on behalf of the group.

The Zero VAWC Alliance includes notable personalities such as:

• Mae Paner, artist and Babae Ako co-founder
• Judy Taguiwalo, former Social Welfare secretary
• Nikki Coseteng, former senator and representative
• Emmi de Jesus and Gert Libang, Gabriela Women鈥檚 Party-list
• Inday Espina-Verona, multi-awarded journalist and Babae Ako co-founder
• Monique Wilson, One Billion Rising global director
• Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB educator
• Edna Aquino, human rights advocate and Babae Ako co-founder

Paner cited the case of Noel Bonoan as an example of why corporations must take responsibility for preventing violence against women and children.

Bonoan, a former finance undersecretary, was elected in 2024.

He later withdrew from the position after allegations of domestic abuse surfaced.

鈥淲omen鈥檚 rights advocates raised documented acts of domestic violence to challenge MAP over Bonoan鈥檚 election. MAP responded by announcing his withdrawal. But the tenor was off. It portrayed the executive as a hero who 鈥榩laced our organization鈥檚 best interests above personal considerations,鈥欌�� Paner said.

鈥淢AP ignored the very serious issue of domestic violence. It allowed Bonoan to retain his director鈥檚 seat. All for its 鈥榖est interests,鈥欌�� she added.

Paner pointed out that many corporations continue to turn a blind eye to domestic abuse, treating it as a 鈥減rivate matter鈥� rather than a workplace concern.

鈥淭hey focus on policies and actions on public 鈥榬eputation risk,鈥� excluding 鈥榩rivate matters鈥� from their policies,鈥� she said.

With this, the Zero VAWC Alliance warned that ignoring the problem makes women workers more vulnerable, affecting their career growth and workplace safety.

鈥淧erpetrators of domestic violence may bring their violent behavior to the workplace, creating a hostile and unsafe environment 鈥� not only for other employees but also for the public,鈥� Paner explained.

The group, therefore, urged businesses to expand their gender and diversity policies to explicitly include domestic violence.

They also called for a zero-tolerance policy against domestic abuse in corporate governance protocols.