Accomplishments of EnGendeRights

EnGendeRights Accomplishments

(As of Nov. 7, 2007)

 A. International and Domestic Policy Advocacy

  Strategic Intervention at CEDAW Review of the Philippines: Demanding Philippine Government Compliance to International Human Rights Standards on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, United Nations, New York

  A.1. Submission of the Shadow Report, Oral Presentation and Lobbying at CEDAW (Supported by Cordaid, Global Fund for Women and Canada Fund for Local Initiatives)

 A. Submission of the Shadow Report, Oral Presentation and Lobbying at CEDAW (Supported by Cordaid, Global Fund for Women and Canada Fund for Local Initiatives)

 EnGendeRights played an important role in spearheading the drafting of the shadow report on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and in advocating for strong language on SRHR in the 36^th Session CEDAW Committee Concluding Comments.  The Shadow Report was drafted in collaboration with Health Development Initiatives Institute, Reproductive Rights Resource Group-Philippines (3RG-Phils), and the Center for Reproductive Rights, a New York-based non-profit legal advocacy organization that promotes and defends the reproductive rights of women worldwide.

The Shadow Report was submitted to the CEDAW Committee on August 9, 2006 in New York.  EnGendeRights also made an oral presentation of the Shadow Report during the CEDAW-NGO Dialogue and actively lobbied with the CEDAW experts leading to the successful adoption of strong sexual and reproductive health and rights language in the CEDAW Committee’s Concluding Comments. 

The CEDAW Committee issued Concluding Comments showing its corresponding comments and recommendations on six of the main areas of concern stated in our Shadow Report (i.e., access to the full range contraceptive methods including emergency contraception, access to safe and legal abortion, sexuality education for adolescents, skills and education for women in prostitution, legalization of divorce and repeal of discriminatory Muslim Code provisions). 

 A.2  Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Stakeholders Meeting: Moving Forward! Post-CEDAW Session Action Agenda, November 28, 2006, SEAMEO Innotech Center, Diliman, Quezon City (Supported by Canada Fund for Local Initiatives)

 In line with the participation of EnGendeRights in the 36^th session of the CEDAW Committee, EnGendeRights conducted a meeting to present the Shadow Report and popularize the CEDAW Committee’s Concluding Comments dubbed as “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Stakeholders’ Meeting: Moving Forward! Post CEDAW Session Action Agenda” on November 28, 2006. Eighty-seven (87) participants from government (including representatives from the House of Representatives, Senate, Population Commission, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine National Police (PNP)), women’s groups, academe, research centers, SRHR alliances, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LBGT) groups, religious organizations, and media attended the event. 

EnGendeRights provided information and tools to capacitate advocates to engage international human rights institutions and claim this international space and process as part of their rights exercise and over-all political work. SRHR stakeholders became more aware of the effective use of international human rights mechanisms to advance SRHR cause. 

 The meeting was able to present new trends and updates on issues on EC, abortion, sexuality education for adolescents, reproductive health bills/magna carta bill on women, and LGBT rights.  It was able to consolidate efforts of activists to advance the SRHR agenda.

 The impact of EnGendeRights’ CEDAW advocacy work is also apparent by the fact that strong opponents to reproductive choice such as John Klink, advisor to the Vatican’s United Nations mission, has identified EnGendeRights and the Center for Reproductive Rights as NGOs that are “threats to life and the family.”  John Klink mentioned this in his speech at the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ International Conference on Bioethics and the Family last January 9-10, 2007 in Manila.  The conservative list-serve C-Fam has also posted their research on their website citing EnGendeRights as having “influenced CEDAW” during the CEDAW Committee 36^th Session.

 B. Trainings

 B.1. National Workshop on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for Legal Advocates

 EnGendeRights successfully conducted and spearheaded the National Workshop on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for Legal Advocates on December 10-14, 2005, at Sulo Hotel, Philippines. The participants for this workshop were judges, public prosecutors, government representatives, law professors, lawyers, and advocates.  Funds from this project came from the Center for Reproductive Rights (14,967.00 USD) and the Global Fund for Women 4,983.00 (USD).  This workshop was conducted in collaboration with 3RG-Phils and the Center for Reproductive Rights.

 The workshop familiarized the participants with international human rights standards and national and international jurisprudence on SRHR including international advocacy strategies and jurisprudence from the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Bodies.  The workshop enabled the participants to appreciate ways of effectively applying universally recognized human rights standards and international and national jurisprudence in legal strategies designed to address SRHR in the Philippines, particularly in litigation and in national advocacy and lobbying initiatives. 

 The participants openly discussed the right to sexual and reproductive self-determination free from discrimination, coercion, and violence including access to contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, and to safe and legal abortion, and equality of LGBTs and their freedom from discrimination. 

 

B.2. Trainings during conventions of the Philippine bar

 

EnGendeRights, through its Executive Director, spoke on SRHR before an audience of about 1200 lawyers, prosecutors and judges during the 11^th IBP National Convention of Lawyers on March 31, 2007 and more than 700 lawyers and judges on the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Act (Republic Act 9262) and Gender Issues in Legal Ethics at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Eastern Visayas Convention on April 27-28, 2006.         

 C. Strengthening Capacities of Local Advocates for Gender and Rights-based Approach to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Violence Against Women and Children with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 

C.1. Paralegal Trainings  

C.1.a. Paralegal Trainings (Visayas, Ifugao/Mountain Province, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao/Sultan Kudarat) 

EnGendeRights conducted the:  a) the  Visayas Paralegal Training in Cebu City, on September 13-15, 2006 which brought together 23 participants from three provinces, namely: Masbate, Bohol, and Eastern Samar; b) Ifugao/Mountain Province Paralegal Training in Baguio City, on July 26-27, 2007 which brought together 16 participants; and ARMM/Sultan Kudarat in Davao City, on Aug. 24-25, 2007 which brought together 35 participants. 

The goal of the workshop was to enable the participants to create a better referral system for VAWC cases and to make them adept at providing effective policies and programs that will address, prevent, and raise awareness of VAWC in their respective municipalities.

 The training helped the participants realize the strategic value of working with the different stakeholders such as the law enforcement officers, the prosecutors and lawyers, the judges, the social workers and case managers, the medico-legal, and the psychologists in order to ensure the proper management of VAWC cases.  

In these trainings, we include international human rights standards including CEDAW and CEDAW Committees jurisprudence. 

C.1.d. Paralegal Training Module Framework-Setting

 EnGendeRights successfully conducted a Paralegal Training Module Framework-Setting on July 14-15, 2005 at the Sulo Hotel in Diliman, Quezon City for UNFPA partners under the Gender Component and for government agencies.  This workshop made the participants knowledgeable of laws and policies on VAWC and SRH and to capacitate them in effectively addressing VAWC and SRH cases; and to agree on a common framework for paralegal training

 C.1.c. Pre-Test of the Paralegal Trainers’ Training Module for Muslim religious leaders, provincial health officers, and Shari’a lawyers, councilors, and judges

 EnGendeRights successfully conducted a Pre-Test of the Paralegal Trainers’ Training Module for Muslim religious leaders, provincial health officers, and Shari’a lawyers, councilors, and judges on Nov. 24 to 25, 2005 at Tower Inn, Davao City.

 Participants were able to enhance their understanding of the Islamic basis for accessing justice through the Shari’a and regular courts and they were able to identify practical and strategic obstacles as well as opportunities to improve access to justice. The pre-test helped in the development of the Paralegal Trainers’ Training Module in consultation with the resource persons and other Islamic experts from Mindanao.  The participants were Muslim religious leaders from Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, a Shari’a practitioner from Tawi-Tawi, and representatives from the provincial health office of Sulu and Lanao del Sur.

 The pre-test helped deepen the understanding of the dynamics and nuances related to Islam and human rights, particularly SRHR. 

 A writeshop was conducted on the module for Muslim communities on January 30, 2007.  The writeshop consisted of a presentation of existing Paralegal Training  Module for Muslim Communities, Islamic Perspective on Law and the Shari’a and Comparative Review of Progressive  Legislations and Policies Upholding Muslim Women’s Rights in predominantly Muslim  countries/Analyses on successful repeal of discriminatory laws against Muslim women and reforms in Shari`a laws that uphold Muslim women’s rights by Ms. Zaitun Kasim, Programme Manager/Chief Trainer of Sisters in Islam.  The participants held workshops to critique the existing module, discuss best practices in conducting training on Muslim women’s rights and paralegal training for Muslim communities, suggested resource speakers and participants, sharing of resources and responses to difficult questions.  There were plenary presentations by the workshop groups, discussion of the workshop results and discussion on suggested revisions to the module.

          A writeshop was conducted on the module for the Indigenous Peoples on May 27, 2007. The writeshop consisted of a discussion of the writeshop objectives,  overview of the Paralegal Training Module, introduction to Indigenous Peoples rights through United Nations jurisprudence, Indigenous Convention, IPRA, discussion on Indigenous Communities  of Ifugao and Mt. Province (concepts of justice; rights, human rights, women’s rights; indigenous political systems  in relation to addressing VAW and its sexual and reproductive health  consequences; Ifugao and Mt. Province pertinent data on VAW and SRHR), workshops and plenary presentation and discussion of workshop results, presentation of research on Advancing  Indigenous Peoples Women’s Rights through UN jurisprudence, CEDAW Concluding Comments , discussion and recommendations on the paralegal module, and Gender and Development budget.

 C.1.b. Presentation of Researches On June 6-7 2006, EnGendeRights presented its trailblazing researches entitled  “Progressive Legislations and Policies Upholding Women’s Rights in predominantly Muslim Countries: A Continuing Challenge” and “Advancing Muslim Women’s Rights through UN Jurisprudence”.  The participants were Muslim religious leaders, Shari’a practitioners, provincial health officers and social welfare counselors from Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

 C.2. ARMM Provincial Dialogue on Gender Issues in Islam 

On September 18-21, 2006, EnGendeRights and 3RG-Phils. conducted a provincial dialogue titled “Treading the Islamic Path to Gender Equality: ARMM Provincial Dialogue on Gender Issues in Islam” which brought together over fifty (50) prominent Muslim leaders particularly Muslim religious leaders, Sharia judges and lawyers, women’s rights activists, youth, the academe, and local government units.

 The dialogue aimed to surface manifestations of gender bias among Muslims and address VAW, abortion, marriage including issues on polygamy, early/arranged/forced marriage, and political participation of Muslim women.  

D. Book launch of the Center for Reproductive Rights’ “Women of the World: Laws and Policies Affecting Their Reproductive Lives – East and Southeast Asia” publication

 EnGendeRights successfully conducted the book launch of the Center for Reproductive Rights’ “Women of the World: Laws and Policies Affecting Their Reproductive Lives – East and Southeast Asia” publication.  Speakers at the book launch were Nancy Northup, President of the Center for Reproductive Rights, Dr. Florence Tadiar, Chief Executive Officer of Institute for Social Studies and Action (ISSA), Pardiss Kebriaei, Legal Advisor for International Reproductive Rights Litigation of the Center for Reproductive Rights, and Rina Jimenez-David, columnist from the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI). The attendees at the book launch were representatives from various NGOs, GOs, and media.  

E. Various trainings 

EnGendeRights has also been invited to give various trainings on a rights-based approach to gender issues, violence against women (VAW), sexual harassment, laws related to VAW including the Anti-Rape Law, paralegal workshops to effectively address VAW, the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (Anti-VAWC or RA9262), legal protection of health service providers addressing women victims of VAW, how to use CEDAW on VAW issues, rights of lesbians against discrimination in international law, the mandate and views of the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, among others. 

EnGendeRights was invited to give a total of 18 trainings in 2004 and 2005, and 16 trainings in 2006. Our participants were police officers from the Women and Children’s Protection Desk, barangay officials, community women, NGO workers, students. Included in the invitation for trainings was the one on April 27-28, 2006 where EnGendeRights Executive Director Clara Rita Padilla spoke before an audience of more than 700 lawyers and judges on RA 9262 and Gender Issues in Legal Ethics at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Eastern Visayas Convention.  On March 31, 2007, she will speak on sexual and reproductive health and rights before an audience of about 2000 lawyers, prosecutors and judges during the 11^th IBP National Convention of Lawyers.       

   F. Letters to the editor, press releases, media appearances 

 

EnGendeRights also actively came out with letters to the editor on LGBT rights and reproductive rights.  Eight (8) letters to the editor by EnGendeRights staff were published in various newspapers in the Philippines in 2004 and 2005 (Gay Rights, The Manila Times, December 4, 2005; Repeal Penalty on Abortion, The Manila Times, November 14, 2005; Secretary Dayrit’s business, The Manila Times, September 27, 2004; Women’s Reproductive Option, The Manila Times, August 24, 2004; Population: women’s rights issue, Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), August 10, 2004; Population and the Catholic Church Hierarchy, The Manila Times, August 7, 2004; GMA’s policy to save life, PDI, August 8, 2004; Election, the Catholic Church hierarchy, and contraception, The Manila Times, May 03, 2004).

 EnGendeRights came out with press releases in 2006 and 2007 which appeared in various newspapers and local and international websites (on  the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao provincial dialogue on gender issues in Islam which came out in Pennie Azarcon dela Cruz’s Sept. 19, 2006 article in the PDI entitled “Muslim leaders to discuss gender equality”; on the participation of EnGendeRights at the CEDAW 36^th session with six articles  published in major broadsheets in 2006 and a magazine article in 2007 (Rina Jimenez-David’s Column in PDI entitled, “At Large: Pass or Fail” (Aug. 15, 2006), “At Large: Still a Lot to Do” (Sept. 5, 2006), and “At Large: Celebrating CEDAW and Women” (Sept. 8, 2006); GMA NewsTV entitled, “Gains, Setbacks for Women’s Rights in RP”; Southern Asia’s News citing Rina Jimenez-David’s article in toto; Inquirer Breaking News entitled “RP Women Take Case to UN”; and MOD magazine entitled “Drumbeating for Women’s Rights and Realities Gets Louder in 2007” (Feb. 5, 2007)); on Congressional bills restricting access to safe methods of contraception (House Bill No. 4643 and House Bill No. 5458) which were cited in several articles in broadsheets and local newspapers in December 2006  (The Freeman (Dec. 7, 2006), People’s Tonight (Dec. 7, 2006 and Dec. 15, 2006), Malaya (Dec. 11, 2006)); on the draft Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which was posted in several local and international websites in July 2007).

These letters and press releases have reached domestic and international recognition and impact.  The letters have also been posted in the websites of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), among others. 

EnGendeRights through its Executive Director Clara Rita Padilla appeared on several television, radio and print interviews, particularly “Salamat Doc” (March 18, 2007, December 12, 2006), GMA News (November 28, 2006), Radyo ng Bayan (November 28, 2006), DZRM (October 27, 2006 and November 3, 2006), XYZone (Angel Radyo, DZAR 1026 AM, November 13, 2004), Dong Puno Live (August 5, 2004), Workingmom (July 2004), and “Kay Susan Tayo” (May 2004).

G. Position Paper Submission/Sharing 

EnGendeRights submitted two position papers to the House of Representatives Committee on Revision of Laws in December 2006 opposing House Bill No. 4643 and House Bill No. 5458 by citing medical evidence, international human rights standards and research on predominantly Catholic countries that allow safe and legal abortion thereby dispelling erroneous notions.  

EnGendeRights also gave a copy of its position paper on House Bill No. 4643 to Leo P. Wassmer, Jr., the executive vice-president and chief executive officer of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP).

EnGendeRights submitted a brief on the right to education of an adolescent who induced abortion to the Regional Director of Region 8, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) on March 2, 2007.  The brief was sent to them in response to a request from the NCRFW Executive Director Emmeline Versoza to provide assistance on the legal arguments to support the student’s graduation. 

EnGendeRights submitted a Position Paper on levonorgestrel as an emergency contraceptive pill to the Technical Panel of Obstetrics-Gynecology Specialists created by the Philippine Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) on March 6, 2007 and the DOH on March 7, 2007.  To prove overwhelming support for levonorgestrel as ECP, EnGendeRights called on domestic and international organizations including the Center for Reproductive Rights, Rebecca Cook and Joanna Erdman of the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, International Consortium for Emergency Contraception (ICEC) through Elizabeth Westley and Family Health International (FHI) through Susan McIntyre to submit their respective position papers to BFAD.  As a result, the Women’s Crisis Center and the ICEC submitted their respective position papers to BFAD.  In response to requests, EnGendeRights also provided copies of the position paper to reproductive rights activists such as Paola Bergallo, professor of law at Stanford University and advocating a similar cause in Argentina, lawyers from Women’s Link Worldwide Colombia, Ipas Vietnam, activists from Nepal and the Philippines and a graduate law student specializing in health law and policy at the University of Toronto.  

H. Litigation

EnGendeRights submitted an Answer defending the right of a lesbian janitor to work and against discrimination in an administrative complaint filed against her for dismissal based on her sexual orientation.

EnGendeRights is defending safe abortion providers in a perjurious criminal case filed against them for illegal practice of medicine.

I. Researches

EnGendeRights came out with its trailblazing researches entitled  “Progressive Legislations and Policies Upholding Women’s Rights in predominantly Muslim Countries: A Continuing Challenge”, “Advancing Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Women’s Rights through UN Jurisprudence” which we have shared to our friends in Sisters in Islam in January 2007 and International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW-AP) in December 2006, and on predominantly Catholic countries allowing access to emergency contraception and safe and legal abortion.

J. Lobbying in the domestic and international fora

EnGendeRights continually lobbies in the domestic and international fora in an effort to draw attention to the prevailing SRHR issues in the Philippines and to gather support towards effecting changes for the fulfillment of the obligations of the Philippines under international law.  One such lobby was when EnGendeRights wrote to UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid in time for her scheduled March 2007 trip to the Philippines and she was provided with documents to brief her such as the collaborative Shadow Report and the CEDAW 36^th Session Concluding Comments, among others.   

 

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