2014 END SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT ESSAY COMPETITION

Personal Information











Name: Andre B. Flores
Address: 439, Tumana, San Jose, Baliuag, Bulacan
Nationality: Filipino DOB: June 17, 1996 Gender: Male
School: Univ. of the Philippines- Diliman

U
Educational Attainment: College Student
Mobile: 09275487581 Telephone: n/a
Email: andreflores17@gmail.com
What can we do to end sexual violence in conflict and how can women act as agents of change to
accomplish this? (600 words max)











One of the desolating memories in Philippine History is the Japanese occupation, where thousands of
Filipino women were abused, raped, and abducted to become sex slaves. What has happened before, could still be
possibly happening at present without the people being aware. It took decades before the victims shared their story.
The pain has always been with them but their willingness to share their story signifies their yearning for justice.
Indeed help must be given to everyone who are victims of sexual violence in conflict, and efforts must be done to
remedy this issue. People tend to miss out on the problems that are found deeper within our societies at present.
This issue is not new to our country for it has long enough scarred the hearts of the Filipino victims. Conflicts in our
country, particularly in Mindanao, still arise and those with power rise in dominance against those who are helpless
and vulnerable. Military bases in the country are found to be sites of prostitution where the victims are labelled as
"sexual laborers". This situation has happened before but here we are faced with the same situation as it was before,
in a different setting. We are given the lessons of the past and the power to act now on this issue so that the future
would be free from the abuses and in time, free from the discord.
I believe that the first step to any course of action that addresses an issue is to raise awareness through
education and advocacy. Increased awareness enables the people to be part of the solution and by making the issue
known to more people, discussions on the situation can be made. In this way, the stigma that the victims bear will be
repealed. Society has judged the victims to hold the fault to these crimes because of the masochistic and patriarchal
culture that the country is guilty of. Victims are found to be submissive to the orders of those who hold power. Given
this, they tend to see themselves powerless on the situation. Thus, it is important to redefine this culture and start to
give women power over the situation and this can be done by starting with the family. Educating the families,
especially the mothers, gives them knowledge and capacity to teach their children on values on respect. Inculcation
of respect in families will enable the members to practice it whenever and wherever they are. An effective way is to
provide discourse on the subject to areas of conflict, communities, military camps, and civil society that they may be
aware and watchful of the situation they could be involved in. To be able to strengthen the role of women in
addressing this issue, the government must be able to acknowledge their role and initiate the efforts to prevent the
prevalence of sexual violence in conflict. Policies must be reviewed and enforced. Agencies such as the Philippine
Commission on Women, Dept. of Social Welfare and Development, and other agencies whose mandate is to help the
oppressed, must be given attention and support. The government must ensure that a gender-responsive
environment must be made in areas of work thus women must be given the equal opportunity to spearhead the
programs/projects that aim to provide assistance to the victims and those who are vulnerable as they can effectively
communicate the message to people.
Sexual violence in conflict needs to be stopped. The country itself has seen and felt the fear and pain it
brought to our people in the past. Now is the time for people to act, and the women to rise.


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Note: By submitting your application, you agree to the rules and regulation stipulated in the mechanics.
After the conference, how will you make use of what youve learned? You may expound on
affiliations you may have. (200 words max)











As a student from the national state university, I recognize the importance of being knowledgeable of such
issues prevailing in the country. Since students are required to take general electives on the social sciences, it would
be helpful to introduce the issue to the university, specifically the departments concerned. Integrating the topic to
the respective syllabus of certain subjects would be a great step in increasing awareness especially among us youth.
Being a part of an organization that is joined by government officials, youth leaders, and those who desire change in
the government, I will be able to introduce the issue and facts. Through them, the people will be able to come up
with programs that emphasize womens empowerment and respect among one other especially in areas of conflict,
particularly in Mindanao.
Declaration

I declare that the information given above is, to the best of my belief, true and correct and that I have not
suppressed any fact. I understand that any misrepresentation or omission of any fact will be sufficient cause
for the cancellation of my application for the delegation.

Signature of applicant (Typing is sufficient) Date



Please email/send this application to esvi.ph@gmail.com.





Andre B. Flores May 17, 2014