Broken vows, unbreakable law

Cultural taboo: People walking in front of a banner that reads ‘No to Divorce’ outside the Quiapo Church in Manila. — AFP

In her bid to convince lawmakers to legalise divorce, Filipina fruit vendor Avelina Anuran has publicly testified about the abuse she said she regu­larly endured at the hands of her husband.

She also keeps a copy of the medical certificate from the bloody injuries she says he inflic­ted, hoping it might one day serve as evidence in court.