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ASEAN Regional Conference on Legislating and Programming Towards an Integrative Approach to Gender-Based Violence and HIV/AIDS


The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), the Philippine Government’s national machinery on women, in partnership with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, organized/hosted the “ASEAN Regional Conference on Legislating and Programming towards an Integrative Approach to Gender-Based Violence and HIV AIDS” last December 1-3, 2009 at the InterContinental Hotel and Resort, Manila.

This is one of the projects identified in the Work Plan to Operationalize the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW). The conference will gather participants from the ten (10) ASEAN member countries, the ASEAN Secretariat, and UNIFEM Southeast Asia.

The conference will explore the development and passage of policies and legislations, and the formulation and implementation of programs addressing both GBV and HIV/AIDS, and integrating the two, following a gender equality and human rights perspective.


CONFERENCE BACKGROUND

In 2001, ASEAN members signed the ASEAN Declaration on HIV/AIDS and two years after, in 2003, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in ASEAN to address the twin issues of GBV and HIV/AIDS. Regional and national action plans have been formulated accordingly, and programs and projects have been implemented to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS through preventive and curative measures. In like manner, national policies and programs have been formulated and implemented to eliminate gender-based violence.

A rapid review of the efforts of ASEAN member countries in addressing VAW shows that programs tend to focus on GBV alone, implying little recognition of its relationship with HIV/AIDS. This is because of the tendency to assign different agencies for GBV and HIV/AIDS, making it difficult to explore the interaction, or establish the causal relationship between the two. The limited efforts to link GBV with HIV/AIDS in programs is due largely to the inherent tendency of organizations to limit their focus to their mandated tasks and maximize their resources.

With increased recognition of the gender equality and human rights dimensions of HIV/AIDS and GBV, ASEAN has committed to align and harmonize its efforts with national development goals including addressing the “gender dimension of the epidemic, and ensuring that all stakeholders at national and local levels are actively and effectively involved.” The second work programme on HIV/AIDS (2002-2005) includes gender and capacity building as cross-cutting themes and strategies.

During the ASEAN regional workshop to operationalize the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in ASEAN, one of the proposed activities (which was subsequently approved during the Fourth Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Women, November 22-23, 2005, Makati, Philippines) was a regional conference on GBV and HIV/AIDS.

The regional conference will foster discussions and sharing of experiences among government agencies and concerned organizations in member countries in handling GBV and HIV/AIDS, using the provisions of CEDAW on gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS, towards a more purposeful consideration of the links between the two.


INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

Official Delegation

Three (3) representatives from the government

  • one from the national machinery of women or the gender focal point
  • one from the parliament or legislature
  • one from an agency/ministry/department working on either GBV or HIV AIDS) and

One (1) representative from a civil society organization providing either GBV or HIV AIDS services and programs

The conference organizers will shoulder the cost of the airfare, accommodation, and meals during the Conference proper plus limited per diem for incidental expenses of official delegates. We would welcome additional participants and observers who may be interested to join the workshop at their own expense.


Conference Venue.

The conference will be held at the InterContinental Hotels and Resort at No. 1 Ayala Avenue, Makati, Metro Manila. You can get more information on the hotel on their website. The Conference Secretariat will post the name of the venue as the information becomes available.

Conference Schedule.

Download ASEAN GBV HIV AIDS Workshop Schedule (as of 24 November 2009).


Transportation

The Secretariat will post information on transportation arrangements to and from the airport as the information becomes available.


Important Dates

September 25, 2009 – Invitations sent out to ACW Focal Points
October 15, 2009 – Deadline for members of the official delegation to submit their registration forms
October 30, 2009 – Deadline for Country Papers


INFORMATION FOR RESEARCHERS AND EXPERTS

Important Dates

  1. for local researchers
    • October 2, 2009 – submission of legislation related to GBV and HIV AIDS to NCRFW
  2. for the Legislative Expert on GBV and HIV AIDS Legislation
    • October 28 – submission of initial draft
    • November 16 – submission of 2nd draft
    • November 18 – submission of the PowerPoint
    • November 30 – Arrival in Manila and pre-conference meeting with the technical experts and the Overall Consultant
    • December 11 – Finalize, package, and submit the final draft
  3. for the Technical Experts on Good Practices in Integrating GBV and HIV AIDS
    • October 15 – Submission of 1st draft
    • October 16-22 – Review of the draft by NCRFW
    • October 23-30 – Revision of the draft studies
    • November 3 – Submission of revised studies to NCRFW
    • November 9 – Submission of Power Point presentations to NCRFW
    • November 30 – Arrival in Manila and pre-conference meeting with the conference technical experts, legislative and with the Overall Consultant
  4. for the Overall Consultant
    • September 22 – Submit the initial draft of the framework paper
    • October 15 – Submit the final draft of the framework paper
    • October 16-22 – Review and provide technical inputs and written comments to the drafts of the technical experts on good practices
    • October 29-November 5 – Review and provide technical inputs and written comments to the drafts of the legislative expert
    • November 30 – Convene the pre-conference meeting of all the conference technical experts and the legislative expert

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS AS OF 24 NOVEMBER 2009

Brunei

  • Mdm. Pg Hjh Zabaidah Pg Hj Kamaludin, Assistant Solocitor General, Attorney General’s Chambers, Prime Minister’s Office – Head of delegation
  • Ms. Noryani Haji Abdul Rani, Community Development Officer, Department of Community Development, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
  • Dr. Norhayati bte Mohd Kassim, Brunei Darussalam’s Aids Council
  • Ms. Hjh Siti Aynah Hj Md Yaakub, Counselling Officer, Community Development Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports

Cambodia

  • Ms. Sochhay, Chuonh, Member of National Assembly – Head of delegation
  • Dr. Khieu Serey Vuthea, Director General on Social Development, Ministry of Women’s Affairs
  • Mr. Trak Sokun Dara, Deputy-Chief, Bureau against Rape, Ministry of Women’s Affairs
  • Ms. Say Vathany, NGO Representative

Indonesia

  • Ms Luly Altruiswaty, Assistant Deputy for Women’s Social Issues, Deputy Women’s Protection, the State Ministry of Women Empowerment (MOWE)
  • Ms. Junixarman Sri Harmijanti, Director of Women’s Health, Ministry of Health
  • Ms. Dewi Yuni Muliati, Head, Division of Data for Women’s Health, Ministry of Health
  • Ms. Ingrid Irawati Atmosukarto, Coordinator, Research, National Commission on AIDS

Laos

  • Ms. Southisan Lavan, Director of Training Center (HIV Focal Point)
  • Dr. Southalack Phoutone, Deputy Director, Center of HIV AIDS/STI, Ministry of Health
  • Ms. Keopaseuth Vilaivanh, Official of International Relations Division (ASEAN Section)
  • Mr. Chanpheng Bouasavanh, Director General of th Social Cultural Department

Malaysia

  • Mrs. S. Prema @ Vassundira Nair Suppariam, Principal Asst. Secretary, National Social Policy Department, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development – Head of delegation
  • Mrs. Salmi Jalina Jalil, Psychological Officer, National Population and Family Development
  • Dr. Rosnah Ramli, Psychological Officer, Ministry of Health- National Population and Family Development
  • Mrs. Siew Peng Yeoh, Programmes Manager, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)

Myanmar

  • Dr. Thet Thet Zin, General Secretary, Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation (MWAF) – Head of delegation
  • Ms. Kyin San, Deputy Director General, Office of the Attorney General
  • Ms. Myat Myat Ohn Kin, Secretary, MWAF
  • Ms. Khin ThanDar Shein, Member, Sub- Working Group on Violence against Women, MWAF

Thailand

  • Mrs. Pussadee Tamthai, Parliament – Head of delegation
  • Mrs. Anusorn Inkampaeng, Gender Focal Point
  • Dr. Chanvit Tharathep, Director of Health Service System Development Bureau, Health Service System Department, Ministry of Public Health
  • Ms. Sunun Daungchan, Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand

Philippines

  • Ms. Emmeline L. Verzosa, Executive Director, Philippine Commission on Women
  • Undersecretary Austere Panadero, Undersecretary for Local Government, Department of Interior and Local Government
  • Undersecretary Alica Bala, Department of Social Welfare and Development
  • Ms. Lorna Garcia, President, Babae Plus

Vietnam

  • Dr. Le Thi Ha, Deputy General Diretor, Department for Social Evils Prevention/Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DSEP/MOLISA) – Head of delegation
  • Ms. Vu Thi Hai Hoa, Officer on International Cooperation and Programme Management, Department for Social Evils Prevention/Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DSEP/MOLISA)
  • Ms. Tran Thanh Minh, Official at International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs
  • Ms. Tu Dang Cam, Officer, Family and Social Affair Department, Vietnam Women’s Union

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ms. Alice A. Rosero
Chief, Policy Development and Advocacy Division

Ms. Lourdes Margarita A. Caballero
Senior Project Officer, Policy Development and Advocacy Division

Phone: +63 2 735 8918 or +63 2 735 1654 Ext 109 or 128

Fax: +63 2 736 4449

E-mail: gbv_hivaids.conf@yahoo.com