Manila, March 25 -- Women residents of the municipality of Sibalom have been encouraged to have their own source of income to get empowered.

Ma. Dominga Zaragoza, in charge of the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) center of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in Sibalom, said women who are economically dependent on their partners are prone to abuse.

On Monday, Sibalom Livestock and Poultry-Raisers Association president Elma Pena spoke before participants of the Katipunan ng Liping Pilipina - Nasyonal (KALIPI) congress to talk about their livelihood program for women.

"Psychological abuse of women is high in Sibalom because of their economic situation. That is why we are providing them with access to livelihood,...