Module 6: Gender Responsive Laws

Laws that specifically consider the different needs and experiences of men and women and address gender inequalities.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the UN in 2015, aims to achieve 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. These goals address global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of interconnected goals aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting equality, protecting the environment, and achieving peace and prosperity for all by 2030.

The SDGs are a continuation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which ran from 2000 to 2015. Building upon the MDGs, the SDGs aim to achieve more ambitious and comprehensive goals for sustainable development.

The SDGs address multiple areas of development, including poverty, sanitation, economic growth, and social well-being.

The SDGs aim to build up local economies while ensuring the well-being and social needs of people are met.

The SDGs aim to create a world where everyone has dignity, peace, and prosperity. This includes addressing inequalities and injustices.

Previously known as the Millennium Development Goals, they were a set of eight international development goals established by the United Nations for the period 2000 to 2015.

The UN's attempt to encourage private companies to adopt the SDGs as part of their business practices, involving the private sector in achieving the goals.

They focused on achieving specific targets related to poverty reduction, hunger eradication, universal primary education, gender equality, maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships.

The SDGs call for collaborative efforts from governments, businesses, and civil society to address critical global challenges.

This refers to the integration of economic, social, and environmental considerations into decision-making, with the goal of balancing development needs with the preservation of natural resources and the well-being of future generations.

The UN's ongoing efforts to track progress towards the SDGs, including the collection and analysis of data, identifying challenges and opportunities, and monitoring implementation.

Despite progress in some areas like improved access to skilled healthcare, challenges remain in areas like extreme poverty and global hunger.

An international treaty that aims to eliminate discrimination against women in all areas of life, including political, economic, social, and cultural.

A landmark agreement that outlines actions to advance women's rights and gender equality worldwide, covering 12 critical areas.

Any act that restricts or harms a woman's enjoyment of human rights based on her sex, regardless of marital status.

Countries that have ratified CEDAW commit to enacting laws and setting up institutions to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.

CEDAW requires countries to incorporate gender equality principles into their legal system, abolishing discriminatory laws and replacing them with non-discriminatory ones.

Countries must create tribunals and institutions that protect women from discrimination and provide justice.

CEDAW emphasizes ending discrimination against women by individuals, organizations, and businesses.

The BPfA provides a comprehensive plan for advancing women's rights and gender equality in 12 vital areas, including education, health, and economic participation.

A development approach that considers and addresses the needs and experiences of both women and men. It aims to promote gender equality and empower women as active participants in development.

A strategy for integrating gender perspectives into all stages of policymaking, program design, and implementation. It ensures that policies and programs benefit both women and men equally.

A Philippine law that defines and criminalizes various forms of violence against women and their children. It aims to protect victims and provide them with legal support.

The legal basis for Gender and Development in the Philippines. It emphasizes gender equality as a fundamental value and promotes the active participation of women in development.

Violence that involves physical harm or injury to a woman or child.

Violence that involves any sexual act, threat, or coercion against a woman or child.

Violence that involves acts that cause or threaten imminent harm or danger to the life, safety, limb, or health of a woman or child.

Violence that involves acts or omissions that cause or threaten harm to the woman or child's property or economic security.

Sexual violence against women in the Philippines includes a range of acts like rape, harassment, forcing into sexual activity, and exploiting women in prostitution. These acts violate women's bodily autonomy and dignity.

Psychological violence against women and children in the Philippines includes acts or omissions that cause emotional distress or suffering. This can involve verbal abuse, intimidation, or withholding affection.

Economic abuse, a form of violence against women and children in the Philippines, involves the deprivation or withdrawal of financial support for the common child with the intention to control the woman or child. For example, a parent refusing to provide child support.

The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 in the Philippines defines sexual harassment as unwanted sexual behavior in workplaces, educational institutions, and training environments. It covers a wide range of behaviors from physical to verbal and visual harassment.

Physical harassment involves unwanted physical contact towards another person. This can include unwanted touching, grabbing, or other physical assaults. It can also be described as workplace violence.

Verbal harassment refers to using words or language to create a hostile or uncomfortable environment for someone. This includes offensive jokes, slurs, insults, and other forms of verbal abuse.

Visual harassment involves exposing someone to unwanted sexual images, videos, or behaviors. This can include displaying sexually suggestive materials or making sexually suggestive gestures.

Psychological harassment is a pattern of negative behavior that is intended to intimidate, isolate, degrade, or cause emotional suffering to a person. It often involves repeated and systematic actions over time.

Republic Act 6725, also known as the "Strengthening the Prohibition of Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace" law, aims to eliminate unfair treatment of women in professional settings.

This law reclassified rape as a crime against a person, rather than a private matter. This important shift allows anyone with knowledge of the crime to file a case, even if the victim doesn't.

R.A. 8353 defines rape through various circumstances, including force, unconsciousness, deception, abuse of authority, and cases involving victims under 12 years old or with mental disabilities. This law emphasizes the lack of consent in all these situations.

Leticia Ramos-Shahani, a key figure in drafting the CEDAW, also authored R.A. 6725, which addresses workplace discrimination against women. She also contributed immensely to the Anti-Rape Law (R.A. 8353), which reclassified rape and helped protect victims.

The law states that rape is no longer considered a private matter, making it a public offense. This means anyone with knowledge can file a case, regardless of the victim's involvement. It signifies the importance of tackling this crime as a societal issue.

The Anti-Rape Law of 1997 (R.A. 8353) ensures prosecution even if the victim withdraws the case or forgives the offender. This underscores that the crime affects society and requires legal action, regardless of the victim's stance.

The Gender and Development Budget Policy requires government agencies to allocate at least 5% of their budget towards initiatives promoting women's rights and gender equality. This policy aims to ensure adequate funding for programs addressing gender issues.

The law protects minors below 12 years old even if the other elements of rape, like force or deception, aren't present. This highlights the vulnerability of children and their right to protection.