Rodrigo Roa Duterte

LIST OF OFFICIALS

Chairperson: Sandra Sanchez-Montano (2020-2022)
Dr. Rhodora Bucoy (2016-2020)

Executive Director: Atty. Kristine Rosary E. Yuzon-Chaves (2019-2022)
Emmeline L. Verzosa (2016-2019)

Deputy Executive Directors: Cecile B. Gutierrez
Maria Kristine Josefina G. Balmes

2016

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called for the full implementation of the Magna Carta of Women down to the barangay level in his 2016 and 2017  State of the Nation Address.

The PCW convened the first Gender and Development Resource Pool Assembly. The GAD Resource Pool is one of the National GAD Resource Program components. The overall technical assistance blueprint of the Commission was created to respond to the increasing demand for technical assistance on gender mainstreaming and GAD planning and budgeting for national government agencies and local government units nationwide.¹

The Philippines maintained ranks as 7th place among 144 countries globally and 1st in Asia in terms of closing the gender gap.²

LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES

RA 10754: An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability; granting VAT exemption benefits to persons with disabilities.

RA 10906: Anti-Mail Order Spouse Law.

2017

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

The PCW joined the 2017 One Billion Rising to end exploitation against women.

Launch of the VAW Experiential Museum, an interactive museum that illustrates the struggles of women who were abused at home, in the workplace, streets, and online through theater arts.

The PCW, in collaboration with the Technological Institute of the Philippines in Quezon City, launched a mobile application on VAW. VAWfreePH is an android-based personal safety mobile app that gives women and girls a practical tool to fight VAW..³

Media and Gender Equality Committee launched the revised Gender Fair Media Guidebook.

LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES

Executive Order 12: Zero Unmet Need for Modern Family Planning.

RA 10931: Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education; issuances of related policy guidelines such as:

DepEd Order No. 32, s. 2017: Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy in 2017 ensures integration of gender equality, gender equity, gender sensitivity, non-discrimination, and human rights principles in the provision and governance of basic education.

Implementation of DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2018: Comprehensive Sexuality Education in 2018 and CHED Memorandum Order No. 01, s. 2015, established the Policies and Guidelines on Gender and Development in CHED and Higher Education Institutions and the GAD Focal Point System and the integration of gender equality in higher education’s curriculum development, research, and extension programs, among others.

2018

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

The PCW relaunched the Gender and Development Transformation and Institutionalization through Mainstreaming of Programs, Agenda, Linkages, and Advocacies (GADtimpala) as its official awards and incentives system. It recognizes deserving entities, government agencies, and local government units for their outstanding performance in gender mainstreaming and the effective implementation of gender-responsive programs that visibly impact women’s rights, achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, and transform the lives of women and men.

The Media Gender Equality Committee relaunched the Gender Fair Media Guidebook. It is a practical reference for the media in recalibrating their practice to promote gender sensitivity in their core processes, including conceptualization, creation, presentation, and distribution of media products. ⁴

As of May 2018, 308 government agencies have already updated their GAD Focal Point System.⁵

The PCW re-certified five local learning hubs and currently has 132 Gender Resource Pool members who help the Commission further promote gender mainstreaming and implementation of the Magna Carta of Women down to the barangay level. ⁶

LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES

RA 11148: Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act; ensures the health safety of both mother and child in the early stages after giving birth.

RA 11165: Telecommuting Law; creates an alternative work arrangement that most Filipino women may take advantage of.

RA 11313: Safe Spaces Act.

2019

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

PCW concluded a national feedback forum on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and presented the Philippine Progress Report on the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) +25 to national government agencies and civil society organizations. ⁷ The BPfA+25 Report was prepared and submitted to UN Women.

PCW launched three gender mainstreaming tools during National Women’s Day, namely:

   • Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Plan 2019-2025
   • Gender-Responsive Local Government Unit (GerL) Assessment Tool
   • Compendium of Indicators for Monitoring and Evaluation of GEWE in the Philippines

The PCW celebrated the enactment of Republic Act 11210, or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law.

PCW developed and launched the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) for the 18th Congress on September 26, 2019.

The signing of the Safe Spaces Act Implementing Rules and Regulations on October 28, 2019.

Towards the end of 2019, after rigorous training and consultations, the PCW received its ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems or QMS certification.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

• PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2019-01: 2019 National Women’s Month Celebration
• PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2019-02: Preparation and Online Submission of Fiscal Year 2020 Gender and Development Plans and Budget
• PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2019-03: Guide for the 1019 Observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women
• PCW Memorandum Circular No. 2019-04: Encoding and Submission of FY 2020 Gender and Development Plans and Budget for Pilot Agencies using the Revised Form and the Gender Mainstreaming Monitoring System (GMMS) Version 3
• PCW Memorandum Circular Amendment to Section 37 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9710
• PCW Memorandum Circular on the Adoption of the GEWE Plan 2019-2025
• PCW Memorandum Circular on the Adoption of the Compendium of GEWE Indicators

2020

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

The PCW workforce took the global challenge as an opportunity to adapt and innovate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keeping up with the new normal, the PCW transitioned from face-to-face to online activities. The PCW introduced the GAD Webinars, discussing GAD-related concepts, mandates, frameworks, tools, and procedures online. The herstoric first GAD webinar series saw 2,367 participants, with the videos gaining over 100,000 views in 2020.

The PCW strengthened the Local GAD Resource Program. It monitored and evaluated 12 certified GAD Local Learning Hubs (LLH).

The PCW relaunched its website with a fresh new look. Compliant with the existing government mandates, the site is more accessible, mobile-friendly, and packed with added features and content. It also caters to those who have visual, auditory, and physical disabilities, with features including changing colors, skipping to content and scrolling down, and a screen reader.

Collaborated with Twitter on #ThereIsHelp, a search prompt that gave VAW hotlines and messages from PCW.

#JuanaSaPanahonNgCorona online campaign during the National Women’s Month Celebration. It featured the gendered impacts of Covid-19 and inspired stories of Juanas during the pandemic.

2021

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

The PCW mounted its first GAD LLH virtual assembly, featuring inspiring local experiences and GAD-related innovations that LGUs can replicate.

From 2020 to 2021, its Technical Services and Regional Coordination (TSRCD) Division responded to numerous requests for technical assistance. These led to orientations on gender analysis (GA) and GA tools, new trends and policies on gender mainstreaming, laws on women, GAD Agenda Development, capacity development, and validation sessions for the GAD training programs.

The Commission helped the key implementing agencies navigate their way in integrating gender lens in their programs through proactive technical assistance. Orientation on the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework and training on the Development of GAD Agenda were conducted.

Amidst the health crisis, the PCW strived to understand the gendered impacts of the pandemic.

It partnered with different organizations for the National Household Care Survey to look into the effects of COVID-19 on unpaid and domestic work.

It also delved deeper into the issues and concerns facing the frontline peace and security duty-bearers, with the gender mapping serving as the basis for appropriate response.

The Commission revamped its Digital GAD Library to further its digital transformation. The new platform allows for open and free access to a vast collection of GAD resources, ranging from PCW-produced resources and other publications. It has ebooks, journals, audio and video files, PCW’s information, education, and communication materials, live content previews, social media integration feature, and accessibility features for PWDs.

Launched the MusikJuana Songwriting Contest in March 2021, aiming to reintroduce the 12 areas of concern under the Beijing Platform for Action through songs. Over 200 entries were received, 28 semi-finalists that echo advocacy through harmony. The contest resulted in the collection of eight powerful new anthems for gender equality.

NO SPECIFIC YEAR

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

90% of the 42,044 barangays nationwide have established their Anti-Violence Against Women (VAW) Desks. The Magna Carta of Women mandated all barangays to establish VAW Desks which shall respond to VAW cases in their communities. ⁸

Integration of disaster risk reduction and management on national policies, laws, and plans with gender issues. Hence, women-friendly spaces were established to ensure the protection and security of women in times of disaster, calamities, and other crises. One concrete example was the safe spaces for women and children in the evacuation centers in Iligan who were affected by the Marawi City crisis.

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Cited Sources:

¹ Philippine Commission on Women. (2016) “PCW convenes 1st Gender and Development Resource Pool Assembly.” Retrieved  here July 2019.
² Philippine Commission on Women. (2016) “PH maintains ranks as 7th worldwide, 1st in Asia in closing gender gap.” Retrieved  here on July 2019.
³ Philippine Commission on Women. (2017) PCW, TIP-QC launches mobile app on violence against women. Retrieved  here on July 2019.
⁴ Philippine Commission on Women. (2018) PCW presents 9 gains as nation celebrates 9th anniversary of Magna Carta of Women. Retrieved  here.
⁵ Ibid.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ Philippine Commission on Women. (2019) PCW concludes national feedback forum on UNCSW63 outcomes, presents BPfA+25 report. Retrieved here on July 2019.
⁸ Philippine Commission on Women. (2018) PCW presents 9 gains as nation celebrates 9th anniversary of Magna Carta of Women. Retrieved  here on July 2019.