PCW, CHR Strengthen Partnership to Advance Gender Equality and Institutional Accountability
In a move to strengthen accountability in the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) met on October 8, 2025, to reinforce institutional collaboration.
PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla and CHR Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-Latoc reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the RA 9710 and to shifting from reactive case-handling to more systemic and accountability-based interventions. The CHR is designated as the Gender and Development (GAD) Ombud under the said law.
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) hold a discussion to strengthen collaboration in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The partnership will be formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement and joint policy issuances aimed at enhancing coordination and oversight mechanisms on gender equality and women empowerment concerns. These include establishing unified referral systems and data-sharing protocols for gender-based violence cases, addressing wage disparities between women and men in various fields, such as sports officiating, and drafting a Joint Memorandum Circular with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to strengthen and fund Violence Against Women Desks. The agencies will also study the creation of city or municipal-level desks in high-incidence areas to ensure stable staffing and adequate budget support.
Sanction for non-compliance to GAD Budget Policy
During the meeting, the PCW and CHR discussed measures to address government agencies that have not yet submitted their GAD Plans and Budgets and GAD Accomplishment Reports. The PCW has already identified these agencies and issued formal reminders to them. Moving forward, both agencies agreed to send demand letters or formal warnings to ensure accountability and full compliance with GAD planning and reporting requirements. The PCW also pledged to provide technical assistance to strengthen the CHR’s internal GAD mechanisms and budget formulation processes.
Representatives from PCW and CHR discuss measures to enhance gender-responsive governance and accountability through strengthened partnership.
Joint initiatives in advancing gender equality and women empowerment
The two agencies also agreed to pursue joint policy and legislative advocacy, including the development of a joint position paper in support of the passage of the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill and the SOGIE Equality Bill. They will likewise explore rights-based communication strategies on abortion in specific cases, with emphasis on women’s health, safety, and dignity.
To advance inclusive economic empowerment, the PCW and the CHR will support the establishment of women’s cooperatives in jails, aiming to improve the livelihood and reintegration of Women Deprived of Liberty (WDLs). The initiative will strengthen WDLs’ skills in project and financial management, product marketing, and registration with the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.
The agencies also discussed additional measures to enhance the welfare of WDLs, including long-serving senior inmates. The CHR highlighted its jail decongestion program as part of ongoing efforts and proposed that the PCW and CHR jointly write to the Bureau of Corrections, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Cooperative Development Authority to recommend the creation of women’s cooperatives within detention facilities.
The meeting also discussed preparations for the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2026, which will carry the theme “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls.” In line with this, the CHR envisions hosting a side event highlighting the role of National Human Rights Institutions in promoting women’s access to justice and serving as national ombud machinery for gender equality.
Also present at the meeting were CHR Commissioner Atty. Faydah Maniri Dumarpa and PCW officials, including Executive Director Nharleen Santos-Millar, Deputy Executive Director Anita E. Baleda, Mr. Armando G. Orcilla, Atty. Ma. Sophia Isabella P. De Castro, Ms. Dionathel C. Caliz, Ms. Annrelyn M. Ombajin, and Ms. Janssen Micah E. Fajardo.