PCW prepares to offer online GAD webinars The Philippine Commission on Women gears up to offer its Gender and Development (GAD) seminars online, given the limitations on physical gatherings brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. PCW’s Technical Services and Regional Coordination Division (TSRCD) spearheaded the dry run of the GAD webinar with its 18 newly-hired continue reading : PCW prepares to offer online GAD webinars

PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2020-04: Accomplishment of the Online GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) Profile Form, Submission of Policy Issuances on the Creation, Reconstitution and or Strengthening of the GFPS and Updating of Agency GFPS Profile Date 15 July 2020 To: All Heads of Executive Departments, National Line Agencies, Central Offices of Bureaus, Attached Agencies, continue reading : PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2020-04: Accomplishment of the Online GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) Profile Form, Submission of Policy Issuances on the Creation, Reconstitution and or Strengthening of the GFPS and Updating of Agency GFPS Profile

PCW Advisory on Week-long Office Closure (13-17 July 2020) We would like to inform our stakeholders that the PCW office will be closed from Monday, July 13, 2020 until Friday, July 17, 2020 to give way to a thorough disinfection of our premises, as part of health and safety protocols against COVID-19. All PCW staffers continue reading : PCW Advisory on Week-long Office Closure (13-17 July 2020)

PCW honors former Chair Bucoy, lauds her accomplishments The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) honors Dr. Rhodora Masilang-Bucoy who recently resigned from her post as Chairperson of the agency, for her remarkable service and leadership in promoting women’s rights and pursuing gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) locally and internationally. Chair Bucoy, or Lola Chair continue reading : PCW honors former Chair Bucoy, lauds her accomplishments

PCW welcomes PNP leadership’s move to probe, possibly dismiss personnel tagged in harassment, murder of teenage girl The Philippine Commission on Women lauds the move of Philippine National Police Chief PGen Archie Gamboa to investigate and possibly dismiss two police personnel allegedly involved in the murder of a teenage girl in Ilocos Sur. The slain continue reading : PCW welcomes PNP leadership’s move to probe, possibly dismiss personnel tagged in harassment, murder of teenage girl

PCW Statement On Threats of Rape and Sexual Violence The Philippine Commission on Women strongly condemns rape threats and “normalization of rape” hurled at women and girls. Such acts propagate the rape culture, which is unacceptable. In one incident which has gone viral in social media, a man told Ms. Frankie Pangilinan, “Pasalamat ka iha, continue reading : PCW Statement On Threats of Rape and Sexual Violence

PCW Advisory on Week-long Office Closure We would like to inform our stakeholders that the PCW office will be closed from Monday, June 22, 2020 until Friday, June 26, 2020 to give way to a thorough disinfection of our premises, as part of health and safety protocols against COVID-19. All PCW staffers will continue to continue reading : PCW Advisory on Week-long Office Closure

Advisory on Temporary Unavailability of PCW Telephone Lines We would like to inform our stakeholders that PCW’s landline telephone numbers are currently inaccessible. Our team is working with our telco provider to have them restored as soon as possible. Meanwhile, you may direct your inquiries or concerns to our official e-mail accounts listed here: Advisory on continue reading : Advisory on Temporary Unavailability of PCW Telephone Lines

PCW reiterates “choice of clothes” not cause of sexual violence, calls for gender-sensitive info materials There is rape because there is a rapist. Rape and other forms of sexual abuse are never the victim’s fault. The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) reminds the public never to blame rape or sexual abuse on the victims or continue reading : PCW reiterates “choice of clothes” not cause of sexual violence, calls for gender-sensitive info materials

Advisory on PCW’s Implementation of Alternative Work Arrangements To our dear clients and stakeholders, Pursuant to Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 10, s. 2020, the Philippine Commission on Women is currently implementing Alternative Work Arrangements. Under this arrangement, a skeleton workforce is running our agency’s on-site operations, while other employees continue to deliver their continue reading : Advisory on PCW’s Implementation of Alternative Work Arrangements

Joint Solidarity Statement on GBV during COVID-19 The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Departmentof Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),Commission  on  Human  Rights  (CHR),  and the Commission  on  Population  and Development (POPCOM) strongly condemn all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) during the COVID-19 crisis. According continue reading : Joint Solidarity Statement on GBV during COVID-19

PCW Memorandum Circular 2020-03: Adjustment and/or Implementation of the FY 2020 GAD Plan and Budget in view of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Situation Date: 27 April 2020 To: Heads of Departments, Bureaus, Offices, and Agencies of the National Government, Including Constitutional Offices, State Universities and Colleges, and Government-Owned or –Controlled Corporations; Legislative and Judiciary Branches; continue reading : PCW Memorandum Circular 2020-03: Adjustment and/or Implementation of the FY 2020 GAD Plan and Budget in view of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Situation

Sexual harassment has no place during ECQ, punishable under Safe Spaces Act and other existing laws Women face fear, uncertainty, heavier domestic care, limited movements, and economic constraints during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but instead of easing their burden, perpetrators of sexual harassment double their suffering. With the continue reading : Sexual harassment has no place during ECQ, punishable under Safe Spaces Act and other existing laws

VAWC Hotlines during Community Quarantine Violence against Women and their Children (VAWC) chooses no time or place. During the enhanced community quarantine, let us remain vigilant to VAWC that happens in the confines the homes in our communities. If you are, or if you personally know someone being abused during this time of health emergency, continue reading : VAWC Hotlines during Community Quarantine

PCW Warns Women and Girls Against Nude Challenges, Urges Cyber Crime Units of NBI and PNP to Crackdown Videos Circulating Online The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) warns women and girls against the Invisible Challenge in the mobile application Tiktok, which gained more popularity with more people spending time online following the enhanced community quarantine. continue reading : PCW Warns Women and Girls Against Nude Challenges

MusikJuana Songwriting Contest The MusikJuana Songwriting Contest aims to make music as an advocacy tool for gender equality and women’s empowerment.  The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) will search for a musical piece that will help popularize the contents of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), particularly its 12 areas of concern which are: poverty, continue reading : MusikJuana Songwriting Contest

PCW on the 2020 Women’s Month: Babae, Pambihira Ka! As we celebrate the 2020 National Women’s Month, the Philippine Commission on Women exults every woman: Babae, pambihira ka! Women are extraordinary in strength, passion, wisdom, vigor, and heart. They dare to break stereotypes that have long imprisoned them, battle discrimination head on, and survive every continue reading : PCW on the 2020 Women’s Month: Babae, Pambihira Ka!

Adopting Divorce in the Family Code POLICY BRIEF NO. 12 This policy brief provides the rationale for adopting divorce in the Family Code of the Philippines. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHAT HAS BEEN OUR RECENT EXPERIENCE/S WITH REGARDS TO THE ISSUE? Based on the figures from the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the number continue reading : Adopting Divorce in the Family Code

Enacting an Anti-Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law POLICY BRIEF NO. 11 This policy brief provides the rationale and recommendations for upholding the basic human rights of persons with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHAT HAS BEEN OUR RECENT EXPERIENCE/S WITH REGARDS TO THE ISSUE? Persons with continue reading : Enacting an Anti-Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law

Upholding the Right to Life and Security of Spouses and Daughters: Repealing Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code POLICY BRIEF NO. 10 This policy brief provides the rationale for repealing Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code which exempts a spouse/parent who inflicts serious harm or death upon the other spouse/minor daughter caught having continue reading : Upholding the Right to Life and Security of Spouses and Daughters: Repealing Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code

Enacting the Anti-Prostitution Law: Amending Articles 202 and 341 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) POLICY BRIEF NO. 9 This policy brief provides the rationale for amending Articles 202 and 341 of the Revised Penal Code on Prostitution and White Slave Trade. It also presents recommendations on how to address the system of prostitution in continue reading : Enacting the Anti-Prostitution Law: Amending Articles 202 and 341 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC)

Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Economy POLICY BRIEF NO. 8 Upholding the Rights of Women in the Informal Economy: Providing Measures for the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy1 This policy brief provides the rationale and recommendations for upholding the rights of workers in the informal economy, particularly the women and continue reading : Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Economy

Recognizing Sexual Abuse and Focusing on the Violence and Abusive Conduct as Grounds for Legal Separation: Amending the Family Code Provision on Legal Separation POLICY BRIEF NO. 7 This policy brief provides the rationale for amending the Family Code provision on Legal Separation and focusing on the violence and abusive conduct as grounds for legal continue reading : Recognizing Sexual Abuse and Focusing on the Violence and Abusive Conduct as Grounds for Legal Separation: Amending the Family Code Provision on Legal Separation

Ensuring Women’s Equal Rights in Marriage and Family Relations: Amending Articles 14, 19, 124, 211 and 225 of the Family Code of the Philippines POLICY BRIEF NO. 6 This policy brief provides the rationale for amending Articles 14, 19, 124, 211 and 225 of the Family Code of the Philippines. It explains how traces of continue reading : Ensuring Women’s Equal Rights in Marriage and Family Relations: Amending Articles 14, 19, 124, 211 and 225 of the Family Code of the Philippines

Strengthening Law Enforcement and Protection Against Sexual Offenses: Expanding the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law POLICY BRIEF NO. 5 This policy brief provides the rationale for expanding the coverage of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHAT HAS BEEN OUR RECENT EXPERIENCE/S WITH REGARDS TO THE ISSUE? Sexual harassment (SH) and other forms of sexual continue reading : Strengthening Law Enforcement and Protection Against Sexual Offenses: Expanding the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law

Enacting a Women’s Political Participation and Representation Law POLICY BRIEF NO. 4 This policy brief provides the rationale and recommendations for promoting and accelerating women’s political participation and representation in elective positions through the adoption of a gender quota and other temporary special measures. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHAT HAS BEEN OUR RECENT EXPERIENCE/S WITH continue reading : Enacting a Women’s Political Participation and Representation Law

Eliminating Discrimination Against Women in the Revised Penal Code (RPC): Decriminalizing Adultery and Concubinage POLICY BRIEF NO. 3 This policy brief provides the rationale for repealing Revised Penal Code provisions on Adultery and Concubinage (Articles 333 and 334) WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHAT HAS BEEN OUR RECENT EXPERIENCE/S WITH REGARDS TO THE ISSUE? The Philippines continue reading : Eliminating Discrimination Against Women in the Revised Penal Code (RPC): Decriminalizing Adultery and Concubinage

Increasing and Harmonizing Maternity Leave for those in the Governmentand Private Sectors POLICY BRIEF NO. 2 This policy brief provides the rationale for increasing and harmonizing the maternity leave for both the government and private sector employees. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHAT HAS BEEN OUR RECENT EXPERIENCE/S WITH REGARDS TO THE ISSUE?  Women in the continue reading : Increasing and Harmonizing Maternity Leave for those in the Government and Private Sectors

Strengthening the Provisions of R.A. 8353: Amending the Anti-Rape Law POLICY BRIEF NO. 1 This policy brief provides the rationale and recommendations for amending the Anti-Rape Law; redefining it by putting the element of lack of consent at its center, increasing the age of statutory rape, and by repealing the forgiveness clause. WHAT IS THE continue reading : Strengthening the Provisions of R.A. 8353: Amending the Anti-Rape Law

Women’s Political Participation and Representation This policy brief provides the rationale and recommendations for promoting and accelerating women’s political participation and representation in elective positions through the adoption of a gender quota and other temporary special measures. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHY IS THE ISSUE IMPORTANT? Women’s right to participation and representation in all spheres continue reading : Women’s Political Participation and Representation

Upholding the Right to Life and Security of Spouses and Daughters (Repeal of Art 247 of RPC) This policy brief provides the rationale for repealing Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code which exempts a spouse/parent who inflicts serious harm or death upon the other spouse/minor daughter caught having sexual intercourse with another person. WHAT continue reading : Upholding the Right to Life and Security of Spouses and Daughters (Repeal of Art 247 of RPC)

Repeal of RPC provisions on Adultery and Concubinage This policy brief provides the rationale for repealing Articles 333 and 334 in the Revised Penal Code WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHY IS THE ISSUE IMPORTANT? On the Definitions of Adultery and Concubinage Adultery and Concubinage are penalized under separate provisions in the Revised Penal Code (RPC) continue reading : Repeal of RPC provisions on Adultery and Concubinage

Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Economy This policy brief provides the rationale and recommendations for upholding the rights of workers in the informal economy, particularly women informal workers and other marginalized groups, and for providing measures for their transition from the informal to the formal economy towards the realization of decent work for continue reading : Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Economy

Ensuring Women’s Equal Rights in Marriage and Family Relations Amending the Family Code of the Philippines to remove traces of inequality between spouses with respect to their ability: to provide parental consent to marry, to administer their community property or conjugal partnership, to exercise their parental authority over the person and legal partnership over the continue reading : Ensuring Women’s Equal Rights in Marriage and Family Relations

Enacting the Anti-Prostitution Law (Amending Articles 202 & 341 of the RPC) This policy brief provides the rationale for amending Articles 202 and 341 of the Revised Penal Code on Prostitution and White Slave Trade. It also presents recommendations on how to address the system of prostitution in the Philippines by providing legal protection and continue reading : Enacting the Anti-Prostitution Law (Amending Articles 202 & 341 of the RPC)

Enacting the Anti-Discrimination based on SOGIE Act This policy brief provides the rationale and recommendations for upholding the basic human rights of persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. WHAT IS THE ISSUE?  WHY IS THE ISSUE IMPORTANT? Despite significant strides in the advancement of gender equality in the Philippines, little progress has been continue reading : Enacting the Anti-Discrimination based on SOGIE Act

Amending the Family Code Provision on Legal Separation This policy brief provides the rationale for amending the Family Code provision on Legal Separation, focusing on the violence and abusive conduct as grounds for legal separation and recognizing sexual abuse. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHY IS THE ISSUE IMPORTANT? Legal separation is a remedy available to continue reading : Amending the Family Code Provision on Legal Separation

Amending the Anti-Rape Law This policy brief provides the rationale and recommendations for amending the Anti-Rape Law; redefining it by putting the element of lack of consent at its center, increasing the age of statutory rape, and  repealing the forgiveness clause WHAT IS THE ISSUE? WHY IS THE ISSUE IMPORTANT?Rape is an inherently violent crime continue reading : Amending the Anti-Rape Law

Adopting Divorce in the Family Code This policy brief provides the rationale for adopting divorce in the Family Code of the Philippines. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? / WHY IS THE ISSUE IMPORTANT? The Philippines remains to be the only country in the world apart from the Vatican, without a generally applicable divorce law. Spouses who continue reading : Adopting Divorce in the Family Code

PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2020-02: Guide for the 2020 Observance of the National Women’s Month To All Heads of Executive Departments, Agencies, Bureaus, Offices, State   Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), Legislative and Judiciary Branches, Constitutional Bodies, Other Instrumentalities of  Subject Guide for the 2020 Observance of the National Women’s Month Date February continue reading : PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2020-02: Guide for the 2020 Observance of the National Women’s Month