UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 59) In 2013, GPH declared November 25 of every year as a National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children. Government agencies and institutions continue to conduct annual campaigns, like Women’s Month Celebration and 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) to raise awareness on Convention on Elimination of All Discriminations Against Women (CEDAW), MCW, related laws, and international human rights standards.

Para 62) PNP has 1,918 Women and Children Protection Desks (WCPD) nationwide, with 4,573 personnel at the frontlines of responding and preventing, receiving and documenting gender-based violence and violence against women and children (VAWC), and of providing assistance in filing appropriate administrative and criminal cases. Around 88% of the 42,028 villages have WCPDs responding to gender-based violence cases. From 2013 to 2015, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has recorded a total of 30,334 VAW cases filed in court.

National Report:
Para 24) The following are relevant laws, aside from the Magna Carta of Women, enacted during the reporting period that significantly bear on women's and children's rights:
-Anti-Pornography Act of 2009;
-Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2010;
-Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act;
-Amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act;
-Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law;
-Legitimization of Children Born to Underage Parents;
-Anti-Torture Act;
-Requiring the Certification of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to declare a "Child legally available for Adoption".

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 2) CHRP referred to Recommendation 8 on the elimination of gender-based discrimination and stated that the effectiveness of the 2009 Magna Carta of Women in eliminating gender-based discrimination and promoting equality was yet to be seen, particularly as it will not stop discriminatory practices in employment; and the Reproductive Health Bill was yet to be enacted after several years.

Para 3) CHRP referred to Recommendation 1 on inter alia a gender-responsive approach within the judicial system and stated that some judges refrained from applying the Anti- Violence against Women and their Children Act and other legislation including 1997 special law on rape. As pronounced by the Court of Appeals, women needed to satisfy a high threshold to prove rape and the lack of consent; the Magna Carta of Women did not make provision for the prosecution of alleged perpetrators; and rehabilitation and post- conflict care of women and children remained a challenge.