1. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Philippine Legal Framework
Damcelle Torres- Cortes Mason Fellow, MC MPA 2014 Harvard Kennedy School

2. Philippines ASEAN Democratic Republic Predominantly Catholic
97M population, 49% Female
28% below poverty level($177/mo)
97% literacy rate
7th in World Global Gender Gap Index
www. CNN.com

3. Rape case dismissal violated CEDAW
VAW Legal Framework
CEDAW ESCR
CRC ICMW
ICCPR
International Instruments
Equality, dignity, respect for human rights
Women’s role in development
Protect working women
Philippine Constitution
Anti-Rape Magna Carta of Women
Anti-Sexual Harassment Anti-VAWC
Anti-Human Trafficking Anti-Voyeurism
Anti-Mail Order Bride Anti-Child Porn
Statutes
Gender & Development Code
Anti-VAWC Implementation
Local Ordinances
UN Committee
CEDAW
(Vertido case, 2010)
Rape case dismissal violated CEDAW
Philippine
Jurisprudence
Battered woman syndrome
Marital Rape
Rape stereotypes

4. VAW Legal Framework – Domestic Laws
Anti-Sexual Harassment (1995)
Work/Education
Ascendancy
P: 6 yrs jail
Ant-Rape (1997)/
Rape Victim Protection (1998)
Carnal knowledge
Sexual assault
Marital rape
Rape shield rule
P: Life imprisonment
Anti-Trafficking in Persons (2003)
Users punished
P: yrs jail
Inter-Agency Council

5. VAW Legal Framework – Domestic Laws
Anti-Violence Against Women & Children (Anti-VAWC) (2004)
Women & children as victims
Relationship
No mediation
Paid leave
P: 6 yrs to life imprisonment
Extra-judicial protection orders
Forms
Physical
Sexual
Psychological
Economic

6. Protection & Enforcement
NGO/Center
Social Welfare
Police
Family Court
(trial)
Village Chief/Council
Public Prosecutor
Survivor
Temporary Protection Order
Permanent Protection Order
Imprisonment

7. VAW Situation Sexual violence 23% emotional violence
14% physical violence
8% sexual violence
Sexual
violence
Spousal violence declines as education and wealth increases

8. VAW Situation

9. Challenges Gender insensitive laws Implementation
Rape: Marriage as condonation
No divorce law; Stringent Requirements for separation, annulment
Prostitution law
Limited anti-sexual harassment law
Implementation
Sensitivity in community, frontline service providers
Capacity of service providers – village officials, social workers, prosecutors, judges
Support mechanisms
Complementation of policies & services
Reproductive health law
Livelihood assistance
Free-legal assistance
Counseling and shelters
Gender and Development (GAD) budget