This intervention is derived from the submission of the Center for Women’s Resources, GABRIELA – Alliance of Filipino Women, and from the Joint Recommendations of the Commission of Human Rights and Civil Society Organizations for the United Nations 4th Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review
Delivered by Cielito V. Perez, Center for Women’s Resources during the lobby session with the diplomatic community, 27 September 2022
To the distinguished members of the diplomatic community, to the UN Philippines, and my fellow members of civil society – a pleasant day to everyone:
During the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), member-states gave their recommendations to the Philippine government, including those pertaining to the protection of women, under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which the Philippine government signed and ratified. Therefore, it has the obligation to take appropriate measures against discrimination and ensure that Filipino women can fully enjoy their human rights.
However, the Philippine government under former President Rodrigo Duterte failed to deliver on these recommendations especially in addressing the issues of poverty alleviation, discrimination, protection of health, access to justice, and violence against women.
Pre-pandemic, there were already 16 million women who are economically insecure and this increased to more than 21 million in the first months of the lockdown. The pandemic disproportionately impacted women, both in the formal and informal sectors, those who lost their jobs and livelihood. They received little or no support for economic relief, food, and medical care even as the Duterte administration received billions from local and foreign donors for COVID-19 response. The crisis in the public health system characterized by decades of privatization and meager public funding impacted poor women’s overall health, and in particular, their sexual and reproductive health – including their access to modern contraceptives, and maternal and childcare services.
The socio-economic crisis and the pandemic also increased gender-based violence. While data shows a lower number of reported cases of violence against women from 20,000+ cases in 2019 to 15,000+ cases in 2020, we see this as grossly underreported. Restrictions in mobility confined women at home and it increased their vulnerability to violence if they are living with abusive partners. Women had greater difficulties in accessing mechanisms to report abuse and access support services.
We also see gender disparity in public and political life participation where only 23.1% of those in elective positions are women. And while civil society, nongovernment, and community organizations give space for women to practice leadership and participation, we see an alarming trend of attacks against women activists, advocates, and women human rights defenders.
In light of this situation, we hereby forward the following recommendations:
1. Ensure full and effective implementation of the Magna Carta of Women to improve work opportunities, receive equal pay for equal work, and guarantee against discrimination.
2. Ensure full and effective implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act including provisions on access to modern contraceptives. To ensure comprehensive sexuality education in formal and non-formal institutions, and put a stop to discriminatory practices preventing access to SRHR services.
3. Pass the Divorce Bill to allow the dissolution of marriage, especially those involving violence against spouses, and to correspond this with amendments to the Family Code.
4. Enhance measures to prevent violence against women and girls including expanding psychosocial and legal services and integrating these measures into national and local COVID-19 response and recovery plans. Recognize and support women’s rights groups and organizations that provide services and advocate for policies to address gender-based violence.
5. Finally, take measures to eliminate structural, legal, and cultural obstacles hindering the participation of women in politics and decision-making; promote programs fostering leadership skills for women and girls, and promote gender equality. This also necessitates putting a stop to attacks against women activists, advocates, and women human rights defenders.