EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.

273 September 8, 1995 APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE PHILIPPINE PLAN FOR GENDER-RESPONSIVE DEVELOPMENT, 1995 TO 2025 WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14, Article II of the Constitution that provides "The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men," Executive Order No. 348, series of 1989, approving and adopting the "Philippine Development Plan for Women (PDPW) for 1989-1992" was promulgated; WHEREAS, the passage of Republic Act No. 7192 otherwise known as the "Women in Development and Nation-Building Act" on February 12, 1992 and the expiration of the PDPW time frame in the same year, calls for a successor plan that shall address and provide direction for mainstreaming gender concerns in development; WHEREAS, the National Plan for Women shall serve as the main vehicle for implementing in the Philippines the action commitments during the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China; WHEREAS, through the concerted efforts of various government agencies and non-governmental organizations, a plan has been formulated for the purpose; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby approve and adopt the "Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development, 1995-2025," hereinafter referred to as the Plan, and order that: 1. All government agencies, departments, bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities, including government-owned and-controlled corporations, at the national, sub-national and local levels, are directed: 1.1 To take appropriate steps to ensure the full implementation of the policies/strategies and programs/projects outlined in the Plan; 1.2 To institutionalize Gender and Development (GAD) efforts in government by incorporating GAD concerns, as spelled out in the Plan; in their planning, programming and budgeting processes, but specifically to: 1.2.1 Include/incorporate GAD concerns in the: a) formulation, assessment and updating of their annual agency plans; b) formulation, assessment and updating of their inputs to the medium/longterm, development plans; and c) preparation of their inputs to sectoral performance assessment reports, public investment plans and other similar documents. 1.2.2 Incorporate and reflect GAD concerns in their: a) agency performance commitments contracts indicating key results areas for GAD as well as in their annual performance report to the President; and

b) annual agency budget proposals and work and financial plans. 2. The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), shall: 2.1. Monitor the implementation of the Plan by various government agencies; and 2.2. Conduct the periodic assessment and updating of the Plan every six years or upon every change in national leadership. In pursuance of the foregoing, the NCRFW may call upon the assistance of any government agency or instrumentality, including government-owned and-controlled corporations as well as existing interagency structures, as may be necessary. Non-governmental organizations and private entities are urged to assist and support in the implementation, monitoring, assessment and updating of the Plan. 3. The NCRFW is hereby authorized, in consultation with the President and concerned government agencies, to issue orders, circulars of guidelines, as may be necessary, for the implementation, coordination, monitoring, assessment and updating of the Plan, as well as in the implementation of the provisions of this Executive Order. For these purposes, the NCRFW may constitute appropriate inter-agency committees. 4. In view of the Plan's long-term goal of fully integrating GAD concerns into the whole development process, the mainstreaming of GAD in various government agencies shall be the responsibility of the heads of concerned agencies and their respective offices, with the assistance of their Women in Development (WID)/GAD Focal Points, if any, to ensure institutionalization thereof. 5. The initial amount necessary for the implementation of the Plan shall be charged against the appropriations of government agencies authorized to be set aside for the purpose under Republic Act No. 7845, including those sources from bilateral/multilateral agencies/organizations or those from the official development assistance (ODA) pursuant to Republic Act No. 7192. Thereafter, budgetary requirements for the succeeding years shall be incorporated in General Appropriations Bills to be submitted to Congress. 6. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
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DONE in the City of Manila, this 8th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-five.

Philippine Initiatives on Gender-Responsive Governance

In the Philippines, efforts to make governance gender responsive are promoted through legislation, such as the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) which mandates non-discriminatory and pro-gender equality and equity measures to enable womens participation in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies, plans, and programs for national, regional, and local development.

Also, the Philippine Framework Plan for Women (FPW) indicated actions planned for gender responsive governance to be undertaken by government agencies, LGUs and civil society as follows: On mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) in the bureaucracy 1. Enforce compliance to GAD mainstreaming policies 2. Enhance existing structural mechanisms to accelerate mainstreaming of GAD 3. Localize GAD mainstreaming efforts 4. Enhance capability of local and regional GAD practitioners/trainors to deliver GAD programs 5. Strengthen linkages and partnerships among various partners On enhancing womens leadership roles and participation in decision-making 1. Ensure equal representation of women in decision-making process at the local , national and international levels 2. Promote gender-responsive management and transformative leadership On strengthening womens role in promoting gender-responsive governance 1. Enhance role of womens organizations in anti-corruption programs 2. Enhance womens role in peace building and conflict resolution On strengthening partnership with media in covering various women issues 1. Enhance gender sensitivity of media practitioners 2. Set up enabling mechanism to facilitate exchange of data, information, tools, etc. between media and government pertinent to GAD concerns Significant progress has been achieved in terms of implementing said measures in the FPW. The Country Gender Assessment (CGA, 2008) has noted that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued annual budget circulars since 1997 that support the implementation of GAD budgets at the local level. Currently, the local budget circular on internal revenue allotment requires agencies to apply a minimum of 5 percent of the funds for GAD. In 2001, the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (now PCW), Department of Interior and Local Government, and DBM issued a joint memorandum

circular to all local government units (LGUs) containing guidelines for integrating GAD in the local planning and budgeting system. The CGA (2008) also cited the positive effects of GAD budgets and plans at the local level, such as improved services for women and men, and even reduction in the incidence of gender-based violence. It enumerated less tangible benefits that include increased awareness and advocacy for gender issues and the development of local mechanisms for planning and implementation that increase the involvement of civil society groups in government processes. Projects that have been implemented under the GAD budget include providing health services, advocating and disseminating information on gender issues, building capacity and providing technical assistance on GAD and other gender issues, establishing or improving service facilities for women, issuing policies on gender, establishing databases and mechanisms for reporting on gender issues, improving awareness of gender issues when undertaking development planning at the national and local levels, and revising textbooks to remove social and gender stereotypes. Also a notable gain in gender responsive governance is the audit of GAD funds initiative of the Commission on Audit (COA) which Determines government agencies compliance with existing laws and regulations on the utilization of GAD funds; Sees to it that agencies plans, programs, projects and activities are aligned to the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development 1995-2025; Monitors the use of GAD funds for the purpose for which they have been appropriated; and Determines whether gender issues are addressed by GAD interventions in the agencies. Results of COAs audit initiative prompted government agencies at the national and local levels to pursue GAD budgeting in the Philippines in a more proactive manner. Assessing the outcomes of the implementation of GAD plans and budgets, the CGA (2008) pointed out the significance of

Engaging civil society groups in local government planning and budgeting, where the GAD budget can function as an entry point and tool for negotiation;

Integrating GAD in national and local planning and budgeting guidelines and systems;

Initiating a gender budget audit by the Commission on Audit; Promoting non-sexist language in government; and Generating sex-disaggregated data for the formulation of gender-responsive policies and programs.

However, several challenges still remain in the promotion of gender-responsive governance in the country such as policy development and implementation, financing and financing capacity and generation of data on GAD monitoring and implementation as well as for gender analysis.The FPW stresses the importance an enabling environment for development wherein the interaction between the Government, the private sector, and civil society is fundamental to achieving social and economic development. The CGA (2008) also underscored the vitality of care for national resources and absence of graft and corruption in good and accountable gender-responsive governance.
USAID WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT (WID) POLICY USAID is one of the first donors to adopt a policy that addressed women in development. In 1982, USAID formulated the WID Policy, which recognized that inadequate understanding of men's and women's roles in societies -- and their unequal access to and control over resources -- will lead to inappropriate project design and implementation, resulting in diminished returns on investment. The policy mandates that country strategies, programs, projects and reporting documents explicitly involve women; identify benefits and impediments to participation; establish sex-disaggregated benchmark to measure women's participation and benefits from development activities; integrate gender considerations in development; and assure that contractors address gender issues in their work for USAID. USAID has refined the WID policy by providing guidelines for addressing gender issues. USAID's gender mainstreaming approach is provided under the Gender and Development: Introduction to the ADS Requirements(self running powerpoint show) GENDER CONSIDERATION IN USAID PHILIPPINES Strategy USAID/Philippines' goals with a gender component in the USAID/Philippines Strategy include expanding economic opportunities for women; conserving natural resources by involving women more effectively; bolstering women's voices in achieving desired family size and increasing male involvement in family planning; improving maternal and child health, and stemming the rapid increase of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS; and achieving equality in education (where boys tend to drop out of school more than girls) through promotion of gender-equitable policies and practices in basic education in the formal and nonformal sectors.

All USAID/Philippines programs are designed to ensure women's participation and integration of gender and development considerations. For example, the Muslim women's participation and advocacy for peace and development has become an important development agenda beginning in FY 2004 and continuing todate. JOINT PARTICIPATION USAID is also an active participant in the bilateral and multi-lateral donors' Official Development AssistanceGender and Development Network (ODA-GAD), composed of gender and WID officers of the Philippines' donor community. The ODA-GAD, jointly with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, produced the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines for Project Development, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation. The Guidelines will provide donor organizations, NEDA and proponent/implementing agencies with a common tool to ensure gender responsiveness in the various stages of the project cycle.

Advocacy Forum on the Gender and Development (GAD) Budget

The following is an opening message delivered by UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer at the Advocacy Forum on the Gender and Development (GAD) budget, delivered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Metro Manila, the Philippines, 1 March 2011 Distinguished guests, Government officials, Civil Society Organizations, Academe, International Development Partners, UN Country Team And Media, On behalf of the UNDP in the Philippines, let me start by thanking Secretary Cayetano Panderanga and NEDA colleagues, Ms Remedios Rikken, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women and Prof. Aurora Javate de Dios, Executive Director of the Women and Gender Institute, for organizing this event which demonstrates the governments commitment to promoting the advancement of women and the full implementation of the GAD budget policy. The UN family and UNDP have always been unequivocal about its commitment to fostering womens empowerment. We all agree on the importance of gender equality to achieve sustainable progress. Human development rests on the principles of equality and participation, and as long as women continue to be viewed as somehow less than equal citizens, progress will be limited. We have only a few years left to push for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, and the promotion of gender equality and womens empowerment rests at the heart of the UNDPs development agenda. All over the world, and the Philippines is no exception, where we see slow progress towards the MDGs is where the needs and status of women and girls are given low priority. The 2010 Philippines MDG Progress Report showed that the country has made significant advances towards eliminating gender inequality in education and literacy and in terms of political participation, but more is needed to sustain the achievements and to overcome remaining challenges. Let me quickly share with you some figures as a snapshot of some of these challenges:

More than ten million Filipino women still live today in poverty, with rural and indigenous women being the most vulnerable. Maternal mortality and access to reproductive health-care services are among the most pressing concerns in the country. Eleven women die every day due to pregnancy and child birth-related causes. Womens representation in politics, though improving, continues to be low: less than 20% of the seats in Congress and 13% in the Senate are occupied by women.

According to the 2004-2010 Report on the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), 1 in 5 Filipino women, or 4.6 million women, have experienced physical violence since age 15. The International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that less than half (45.9%) of working-age women are able to access decent and productive employment, compared to 3 of every 4 males (72.6%) of working age. In the agricultural sector, men receive 20% higher wages than women. Gender disparities in education favor girls, with higher enrolment and completion rates than boys, which compromise the development of gender-equal education opportunities. In the light of these figures, I am sure you all agree with me that much remains to be done.

For many years, UNDP has been supporting the Government of the Philippines in its efforts to promote gender equality and womens rights. The commitment of the Government but also that of civil society is very high. And what is noteworthy is that this commitment goes way beyond words and declaration. Legislation with the GAD Law followed by the Magna Carta of Women, a strong monitoring system especially the annual auditing made by COA of the compliance with the 5% minimum budget allocation for all government institutions, at both central and local levels, as well as for ODA funding, puts into action a strong commitment. In this spirit of monitoring and stock taking, NEDA, with the support of UNDP, commissioned in 2009 a study to the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) of Miriam College to review the implementation of the Gender and Development (GAD) Budget Policy by the national government agencies. Today, I am pleased to take part in the public sharing of the results of this study and celebrate with all of you the launch of the publication entitled Accounting for Gender Results: a Review of the Philippine GAD Budget Policy. This document presents a thorough analysis of the trends and patterns of the GAD budget allocation by government agencies, utilization and reporting. It focuses on the assessment of six line departments (Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Education, Labor and Employment, Transportation and Communications, and Public Works and Highways) and the enabling and constraining factors that have determined the implementation of the GAD policy. But more importantly, it talks about accountability. It focuses on ensuring transparent, participatory and gender-responsive governance that can really make a difference in the life of those 10 million women who live in poverty. Since the issuance of the relevant law in 1992, what can we highlight as the main results in the promotion of gender equality? Do Filipino women and men have better opportunities to raise their voices and shape their own development? Do our institutions have the capacity to develop and implement gender-responsive budgets and plans that respond to the different needs of men and women? In summary, the presentation of the findings and recommendations will surely contribute to the debate that NEDA has initiated today and positively contribute to the Governments efforts to fully integrate gender and development in their agenda. The Philippines is now better positioned than ever to make rapid progress towards gender equality. The Government has successfully passed laws that represent a historic step forward in upholding womens rights, such as the Magna Carta of Women and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and the Philippine National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security to implement UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820. Lastly, the President is about to release the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 that will set the directions and priorities of the governments development agenda for the coming years. UNDP is committed to strengthening our support to Government and to the Philippine Commission on Women in their efforts to promote gender equality and ensure the most effective and efficient use of the GAD Budget. On the other hand, it is equally important to develop the capacities of civil society and womens organizations to better hold the Government accountable to its commitments. UNDP will work hand in hand with all of these actors. With this, let me congratulate NEDA, PCW and WAGI for this event, thank our distinguished guests

and everyone who joined us today. I am sure that today will be a very productive and interactive discussion, and best wishes for the celebration of Womens Month! UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer

Gender Mainstreaming in the Philippines

Gender Mainstreaming or Gender and Development (GAD) mainstreaming is the main strategy for ensuring that the government pursues gender equality in all aspects of the development process to achieve the vision of a gender-responsive society where women and men equally contribute to and benefit from development. It is a set of processes and strategies aimed at recognizing and addressing gender issues in legislation, policies, programs and projects and institutional mechanisms of the government on a sustained basis. It is essentially institutionalizing gender concerns in the mainstream development processes and agenda and not just in the peripheral programs and projects of the government.

A. Good Practices on Gender Mainstreaming

Gender Mainstreaming in SRA-MBN PLUS: Reducing Poverty in Malalag, Davao Del Sur Friday, 20 March 2009 11:39

Originally published in Gender-Responsive Governance at Work: LGU Experiences in Using the GAD Budget. Written by Michael J. Juban, Community Development Officer IV, Malalag, Davao del Sur. This case documents the process and impacts of the implementation of SRA-MBN PLUS, Malalag's gender-responsive version of the Social Reform Agenda Minimum Basic Needs program for poverty reduction. The case shows how the integration of gender indicators has enhanced the program's success in addressing the problems of the poor in Malalag. The SRA-MBN PLUS strategy: An overview The SRA-MBN PLUS takes off from the Social Reform Agenda-Minimum Basic Needs (SRAMBN) program that was introduced during the term of President Fidel Ramos as a strategy to address poverty. It is called as such to reflect the innovations that the Malalag local government

unit (MLGU) introduced into the SRA-MBN to make it more relevant to the conditions in the municipality, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of its implementation in the area. The SRA-MBN PLUS uses indicators of human development to guide Malalag officials in determining and prioritizing development interventions. The indicators are classified into survival, security, and enabling needs. Survival needs refer to eleven (11) basic indicators on health and nutrition, and water and sanitation; security needs (13 indicators) look into the number of families living below the poverty and food threshold, and unemployment and housing indicators; and enabling needs (10 indicators) refer to literacy, educational facilities and school attendance, child labor, domestic violence, and participation in community organizations and activities (Please refer to table on p. 6). Most of the indicators relate to women's basic human rights needs, and their economic and political empowerment. They deal with women's productive and reproductive condition and roles, such as their need for economic opportunities, better facilities and services for health, housing, education, protection against violence, and increased participation in governance and community organizations. The SRA-MBN PLUS allows focused targeting and family approach to service delivery. It promotes convergence and complementation of the efforts of GOs, NGOs, and the private sector. It gets funding from the GAD budget and the 20% development budget of the MLGU. The program has benefited 3,441 families living below the poverty threshold. It has resulted in impressive improvements in the MBN indicators that were measured at the beginning of the program. Overall, it has helped increase income and savings, improve service delivery, and promote peace and order. It has enhanced the capacity of leaders to render better service. It has also provided social preparation for families, enabling them to participate in governance and help sustain the program. Strategies for mainstreaming GAD in the SRA-MBN PLUS Identifying unmet needs and gender issues Guided by the indicators of the SRA-MBN PLUS, the Malalag LGU conducted, in 1997 with the help of women volunteers, a survey of all 5,478 families in the municipality. The survey data were collated and summarized to create a socio-economic and political profile of each family. The data were then consolidated into purok, barangay, and municipal level profiles. The profiles surfaced the pressing socio-economic problems in the municipality (table on p.6), and these became the basis for drawing interventions, both for present unmet needs and future targets. Aside from the survey, focus groups discussions (FGDs) were also conducted. The FGDs surfaced the gender issues in the municipality, which include the perceived gender inequality (women are regarded as the weaker sex), unequal decision making (important decisions are made by men), women's multiple burden (which men regarded as women's customary obligations as wives), women's lack of control over economic resources, and domestic violence.

Addressing unmet needs To address unmet needs, the MLGU primarily taps its regular programs and supplements these, if needed, with special programs. The critical element of these programs is focused targeting: i.e, families with unmet needs are prioritized in the delivery of services. The guiding policy is convergence and complementation. People's involvement is given premium.

Setting up the machinery and planning the interventions. The MLGU reorganized its machinery for service delivery to make it more efficient, effective, and self-reliant. In addition to administering government affairs, it also became a resource and people mobilizer, organizer, enabler, and development advocate. Armed with the data on unmet needs and gender issues, the MLGU organized the Integrated Resource Management Teams (IRMT), with the GAD Team as member. Each team is composed of devolved offices to promote a holistic approach in the delivery of services. This makes convergence and complementation the key strategy of the SRA. The IRMTs serve as technocrats at the barangay level, guiding the formulation and implementation of Barangay Development Plans. The barangay and municipal development plans contain annual investment plans; through these plans, the implementation of interventions has become systematized.

Measures to meet survival needs o The MLGU implements food and nutrition and health programs for pregnant and lactating women. These programs include iron and iodine supplementation; prenatal, maternal, and postpartum care; immunization; family planning; and control of diarrhea. Special programs and free health services are also provided. Nutrition services for children include operation timbang and food supplementation. Food sufficiency programs have been launched in collaboration with the DA; 6,140 families have participated in these programs. o Water supply problems are being addressed through the development, rehabilitation, and modernization of water sources and waterworks, as well as through water chlorination. Potable water system projects have benefited 2,330 families comprising 11,650 members, of whom 6,089 are females and 5,561 are males. o To address sanitation problems, water sealed toilet bowls have been provided to 2,398 identified households. Information campaigns on solid and liquid waste management have been undertaken, because of which 4,605 households have been encouraged to put up compost pit and blind drainage systems in their premises. Measures to meet security needs o Shelter or housing needs are being addressed through socialized housing, purchase of land for resettlement, and linking with concerned GOs and NGOs for support for housing projects. For families without home lots, the MLGU purchased and developed a total of 15.6 hectares as resettlement for 1,050 landless families. DSWD supported the housing improvement project for

marginalized families. The Habitat for Humanity Foundation (HHF) erected 78 houses through volunteerism; the beneficiaries have been given 15 years to pay, without interest, for their units. The payments will be reinvested to construct additional housing units in Malalag. o With regard to income and livelihood needs, the MLGU has institutionalized the training cum livelihood program for family enterprise development. This program is being implemented in coordination with the TESDA, DOLE, DSWD, DA, and NGOs. A total of 1,588 women and 313 men have benefited from the program. Specific projects in this program include environmental management to harmonize ecological balance and increase economic productivity, upland and coastal area development, river banks stabilization, water shed rehabilitation, construction and maintenance of roads, rural electrification, agriculture and livestock production, and job placement. Mango planting was implemented on a plant now pay later scheme, benefiting 1,250 families and covering 1,500 hectares. Almost 50% of the areas planted are now productive. Upland development projects include upland farming and farm structure development. These projects have benefited 2,809 families with 14,046 members, of whom 7,578 are females and 6,468 are males. The MLGU also developed a 50-hectare fish sanctuary as spawning area of marine species, to sustain the livelihood of some 1,650 fisher families in coastal barangays. o To enhance peace and order, the MLGU strengthened the Tanod Brigade and the Bantay Banay, and set up military check-points especially in remote barangays to secure families from crimes against property and against persons, and to prevent and control domestic violence against women and children. Measures to meet enabling needs o For basic education and literacy, additional 14 day-care centers have been constructed to service at least 90% of children 3-5 years old. These centers were established through the joint efforts and resources of the DSWD and barangay LGUs. The MLGU subsidizes the honoraria of 44 day-care workers. The day-care centers have served around 8,316 3-5 year-olds, i.e., 3,244 boys and 5,072 girls. The student employment program has benefited 208 students 135 women and 73 men. Scholarships were provided to 101 high school graduates who will pursue technical education. Supporting this program are the TESDA, PESFA, and CHED. The MSSD, together with the DepEd and the Local School Board, initiated non-formal education programs to escalate the educational level of children not attending elementary and high school. o People's participation in community development is being promoted through the monthly purok meetings conducted by the IRMTs, wherein issues affecting the community are discussed. Development of PO's, whether community based (e.g. Community Savings Association), occupational (e.g. farmers), or sectoral (e.g. women) has also been prioritized. Other innovative programs are the community savings and mortuary aid mobilization. The purok community savings associations include 5,078 families while the barangay mortuary aid associations have 6,117 member families, 70% of whom are represented by women. The consolidated savings have reached P1,745,000; the mortuary aid mobilization contributes about P7, 395.00 per death incidence, averaging annually at P554,

640. The community savings are used as credit for small business, saving the MLGU P1,000,000 it originally intended for the same purpose. Other psycho-social care services include the Medicare Para Sa Masa, which consists of MLGU subsidy and contributions from members; the MSSDO's crisis intervention and referral system for women and children of victims of violence; and parent effectiveness seminars aimed at strengthening the family and preparing family members for livelihood skills. The seminar modules include family legislation, GAD, family development planning, enterprise development, etc. Some 3,462 families have participated in the seminar.

Addressing gender issues At the outset, the MLGU ensured a gender responsive MBN program. GAD was integrated as early as the program's preparatory phase. A project called "Transformative Approach to Gender Responsive Development" was launched in 1997, where four GST training sessions were conducted with support from the LGSP. The participants were barangay and women leaders, service delivery teams of Malalag especially IRMT members, youth leaders, and the tribal Tagacaulo community. The GAD teams were expanded to include legislators and women leaders. The bigger teams spearhead GST in puroks, cooperatives, and POs. The municipal and barangay LGUs' commitment to allocate a GAD budget was secured. GAD became a regular module on pre-marriage counseling, parent effectiveness seminars, cooperative education, family and community development seminars, and reproductive health training.

Women are being organized at the purok and barangay levels. Gender concerns are discussed and some of these have been brought up to the women councilors of the barangays and the municipality. Women are actively participating in the Barangay Development Councils and similar bodies, and in the management of projects through the community-based volunteers structures for development. At the municipal level, Ordinance 107 federated women's associations into the Municipal Council of Women. Through the Council and with support from women councilors, gender issues are raised at the municipal level. Women have joined municipal special bodies in accordance with Section 35 & 36 of the Local Government Code.

All the participatory structures mentioned above have allowed women to effectively participate in governance, particularly in participatory research, planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. As volunteers in the periodic survey of MBN, women have learned to gather, process, and analyze sex-disaggregated data and their implications for gender responsive programs and budgets. The MLGU set up the Community Based Information System to monitor remaining unmet needs.
An Overview of the Gender Situation in the Philippines Carlos Antonio Q. Anonuevo Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Philippine Office September 2000

The gender situation in the Philippines is characterized by sharp contradictions.It graphically showcases samples of womens advancement in politics, academic and professional excellence, and even legislation. But this is contrasted by images of prostituted women, battered wives, economically disadvantaged women and exploited migrant workers. The socio-cultural traditions are clashing with the MTV and cyberspace generation. The long history of colonialism has embedded a patriarchal culture among Filipinos. The conception of women as full-time homemakers, as subordinated to men, violence against them is private, as reserve labor force, and as sexual objects is now being eroded by modern women asserting themselves in many aspects of life. But on the other hand, some are either marginalized, discriminated, or even exploited by the harsh realities of global economy and consumerism. Both the changes and the inertia of traditions are the backdrop of a very active and dynamic womens movement. The Philippines is a main player in the international womens arena and this is anchored on a very vibrant local womens movement. Numerous organizations and NGOs exist for the cause of gender equality and other related women issues. This puts the gender equality issues at the forefront of national discourse and precludes further downslide of women status in the modern Philippine society. Indeed, there are many handles for the changes to happen. These legal and policy gains resulted from the strong voice of women that started even during the anti-dictatorship struggle that culminated with the ascension of Corazon Aquino as the first woman president of the country. The 1987 Constitution states two prominent provisions. The first in the Declaration of Principles Article II Section 14 which asserted that "The State recognizes the role of

women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men." Additionally, the Article XIII-Labor: Section 14 provided that "The state shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation". Following from constitutional provisions and the subsequent efforts to broaden the its principles, numerous legislation were enacted that relates to the various aspects of women and gender concerns, The list include: z Gender and Development Law (5% of government agencies' budget is for gender concerns) z Party-List Law (women as a particular sector for representation in the legislature through party-list elections) z Anti-Sexual Harassment Law (defining SH and providing mechanisms) z Anti-Rape Law (elevation of rape as crime against person) About Us Core Themes Activities Publications Online Materialsz Barangay Day Care Center Law (day care center for every village) z Women in Nation-Building Law (allocation of budget for women from development funds from foreign governments and multilateral institutions) z Anti Mail-Order-Bride Law (making the practice unlawful) z Repatriation Law (repatriation of Filipinas who lost citizenship by marriage in case of need)

z Non-Discrimination Law in Labor Code (women protection in hiring and pay) z Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (equal rights for women to be recipients of land) z Military Training equality (women can enter the military and police schools and providing facilities for them) While the legal framework is there, the actual situation mirrors the deep gender divide. In the aspect of women in politics, the notable success of several women is overshadowed by the actual ground level statistics. The lady Vice-President is up to now a shoo-in in the next presidential elections in 2004. But the big picture shows that of all the elective positions occupied through the 1998 elections, only 15% are women. In the two-chamber Congress, the Senate (Upper House) has 17.4% women membership (4 out of 23 seats) which the House of Representatives (Lower House) has 12.4% (27 out of 217 seats). The first party-list elections in 1998--wherein sectoral groups like women competed to get a maximum of 3 seats per party in the House of Representatives--resulted in the winning of one (1) seat for a single women's party. Five (5) other women's party did not make the minimum votes required. At the local government level, women Provincial Governors constitute 17% while ViceGovernors are at 11.5% level. Among the City and Town Mayors, 14.5% of them are women while the ranks of the Vice-Mayors are at low of 10.8%. The labor force statistics show also a mixed picture. Since there was a notable feminization of the workforce in the past years, July 2000 figures showed that there are 1.942 million unemployed women while there are 2.631 million unemployed men. However, more women are taken in for labor flexibility arrangements especially in the big services sector like in retail trade. This leaves them exposed to employment insecurity and unfair compensation schemes.

Women still accounts for 53% of the unpaid family workers while they constitute only 37.7% of the wage and salary earners. Though this shows that the regular income possibilities for women are still limited, the average household annual income of female-headed families is higher. The situation also pushes them to seek employment overseas. Increasing numbers of domestic helpers and entertainers are also being deployed both legally and illegally. Within organizations, the gender balance is under overhaul. Trade union leadership is still male-dominated but women committees and affirmative actions have changed the complexion of decision-making. The public sector unions have made great inroads as four (4) of the major federations are under the strong leadership of women. However, the social fabric remains tainted by arrogance of male power. Police statistics remains indicative of the traditional ways of how women are seen in the social and family context. In 1998, 6,518 cases of violence against women were reported with rape accounting for 1,054 cases and physical injuries at a high of 2,633 cases. Last year, the former was pegged at 13.79% and the latter reached 35.17% of the cases reported. In response to problems that continue to face the Filipina, numerous civil society groups were organized and pioneering projects were initiated. The vocal womens movement was instrumental in the enactment of the laws that seek to protect women and broaden their role in the society. Sub-sectoral groupings of women guaranteed the articulation of specific interests and agendas while issue-based networks and coalitions advocated and lobbied to policy-makers and legislators. The campaign for the sexual harassment and the anti-rape laws saw the synergy of the different organizational forms within the womens movement. Their current engagement deals with the law that deals with domestic violence, abortion and divorce. Such advocacy work is also complemented with concrete projects at the ground

level. Community-based groups tackle violence against women, rural and urban women establish economic undertakings that help them increase their income, wives and families of migrant workers establish their own savings and insurance network, and crisis centers are organized in some parts of the country. Even prostituted women have found both protection and solidarity within their organizations. These activities have seen successes and failures but they constitute as challenges to the socio-cultural bondage and blinders that up to this age of Internet and globalization has victimize the Filipina. The gender situation in the Philippines can be describe in sum as: 1. The legal framework has provided basic frameworks and processes for women empowerment and gender fairness but the dynamics of political and social institutions reinforced by the cultural standpoints continue to provide a push-pull effect on gender equality. 2. Women have made significant advances in politics. Though there may be several factors that tends to lessen its importance --like belonging to a political dynasty, the role of women in national and local decision-making can no longer be ignored and their competence, in some cases, suits up or even exceeds that of male politicians. 3. The women's voice in the society is very strong due the the vibrant women's movement. Recognized for their work in the international and national levels, the movement has been instrumental in pushing for many changesin the various facets of the Philippine society. Additionally, the various organizations have worked on --with pioneering educational approaches and service-specific projects-- the "culture shift" of both men and women.

4. The statistics on women remain indicative of the deep-rooted and widespread problems they encounter in their daily lives. The labor market has stereotyped women, disadvantaged them in jobs and incomes, and even forced them into prostitutions and slave-like work. The social image of a Filipina is still that of a weak person, poster girl of domestic help, expert in double burden, and a sexual object.While the mainframe of gender politics is changing, the struggle of women to escape from the traditional mold everyday life continues. ---END--Copyright Friedrich-Ebert-Stift

losing the Gender Gap

The Asia and Pacific region has made impressive strides over the last decade on narrowing gender gaps in education, health, employment and political participation. Today there are more girls in primary and secondary schools, more girls participating in tertiary education, fewer women dying in childbirth, more women in wage employment outside agriculture and more women in national parliaments and decision making bodies. But, the progress and achievements are not spread widely and evenly across the entire region.

Watch how this film weaves a connection between the importance of workplace equality and the crucial role women play in building a strong society and economy.

Disparities remain in many areas. Many women are still denied access to basic services and essential assets such as land, and excluded from decision-making. In some countries and among some groups, women still suffer from entrenched gender discrimination and exclusion that diminishes their life expectancy, education prospects, access to clean water, sanitation, and employment, and exposes them to gender-based violence. Empowering women economically and socially and giving them `voice is crucial for achieving ADBs goals of poverty reduction and inclusive development. Equality for women is much more than only an ethical issue. A society that leaves girls and women out of the development process is one that will never reach its full potential, Rajat Nag, Managing Director General of ADB.

Promoting gender equity

ADBs Strategy 2020 highlights gender equity as one of five drivers of change for promoting and achieving inclusive and sustainable growth, reducing poverty, improving living standards and achieving the MDGs. Gender equality and women's empowerment is essential to meet the Millennium Development Goals, as recognized by governments at the September 2010 MDG Summit who collectively affirmed that progress for women is progress for all. ADBs 1998 Policy on Gender and Development identifies gender mainstreaming as the key strategy and approach for promoting gender equality and womens empowerment across all sectors. A dual approach is adopted that includes both gender mainstreaming and targeted approaches to reduce glaring gender disparities. ADB has adopted corporate gender targets to be met by 2012: 40% of all operations and 50% of those financed by ADF resources will address gender equality objectives. In 2010, ADBs annual performance exceeded the 2012 gender target; with 42% overall and 53% of ADF financed projects categorized as gender mainstreaming.

Investing in gender equality

ADB projects to improve the lives of women and girls in the region have included support for education, health, basic infrastructure and financial services. ADB projects that directly support gender issues span across both the social and economic sectors.

In some of our poorest borrowing countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia and Lao PDR, ADB has built schools in remote and rural areas to improve and expand access, provided scholarship to poor girls and trained female teachers to support girls school retention rates.

In Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Timor-Leste, ADB is providing rural water supply and sanitation to reduce women and girls work burdens. In Vietnam, ADB is helping ethnic minority girls in 20 of the most disadvantaged districts by building schools with boarding facilities and teacher housing, providing scholarships and training ethnic minority teachers.

Girls skills development is being pursued through increasing support for technical and vocational education In Lao PDR and Cambodia to assist girls make the transition from school to work and enhance their chances of better employment outcomes.

In Uzbekistan and Nepal, we are providing financial and business services to help women start and expand their business enterprises. In Bangladesh, ADB has supported womens economic empowerment through constructing and reserving spaces for women vendors in rural markets; providing employment opportunities for destitute women in road construction and maintenance; helping women farmers to diversify into cash crops that yield higher incomes, and; building the capacity of locally-elected women leaders to give them voice in decision-making in local governance institutions.

Even in some of our middle-income countries such as Indonesia and Philippines we are tackling the remaining pockets of disadvantage in access to education and health in remote and disadvantaged areas and; supporting conditional cash transfer programs to tackle the demand side issues in education and health.

Gender mainstreaming tools

To ensure gender equality objectives are realized, ADB has adopted the project gender action plan (GAPs) as a mainstreaming tool to ensure concrete strategies and actions are designed into projects to deliver gender equality outcomes. GAPs include clear targets, quotas, gender design features and quantifiable performance indicators to ensure womens participation and benefits. Key aspects of the GAP are incorporated into project assurances to encourage buy-in from executing agencies and other project partners.

ADB has also developed Gender and Development Plans of Action as guide and roadmap for translating the GAD Policy into concrete actions and programs. The plan of Action prioritizes 3 areas of action: country strategy partnership and projects; GAD capacity development and policy support and organizational effectiveness. Country gender assessments (CGAs) are prepared to feed the development of country partnership strategies and programs. CGAs are also used by governments as strategic planning documents. ADB regularly conducts gender assessments of projects under implementation to assess progress on implementation of the gender and development policy. ADB engages in policy dialogue in countries and in the region to encourage and support genderresponsive policy and law reforms. Examples include gender equality laws, temporary special measures for womens representation in local government bodies and community-based organizations, and joint titling by husbands and wives when land is allocated.

Partnerships
ADB collaborates at the project level with many UN agencies, development partners, and nongovernment organizations in different countries to improve gender equality results. The External Forum on Gender and Development established in 2001 promotes dialogue between ADB and external experts and advocates on gender and development issues. ADB has been active in various gender knowledge networks , such as the UN regional thematic working group on gender, Multilateral Development Banks Working Group on Gender, and GenderNet under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Sharing knowledge
ADB supports gender equity through knowledge products such as country gender assessments, gender mainstreaming tool kits, a guide to mainstream anti-trafficking concerns into projects and research and studies on human trafficking, and gender-responsive HIV prevention programs in infrastructure projects. ADBs community of practice on gender meets regularly through knowledge seminars and events to share experiences on gender-related activities and learn from cutting-edge research.

Gender equality within ADB

ADB is firmly committed to promoting gender equality and womens empowerment through our operations. We believe that ADB has a responsibility to set a positive example for the region in tackling gender inequality, said Ursula Schaefer-Preuss, ADBs Vice President of Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development. In 1998-2002, ADB developed its first institutional gender action program to address gender in recruitment and staffing. Through ADBs Our People Strategy women now comprise 28% of professional staff and ADB is currently redoubling efforts to achieve 35% overall representation.

Policy on Gender and Development

ADBs Policy on Gender and Development (GAD) is the guiding framework for gender and development activities. The Policy adopts gender mainstreaming as the key strategy for promoting gender equality and womens empowerment across the full range of ADB operationsfrom country partnership strategies to the design and implementation of gender-inclusive projects and programs. Gender equality needs to be pursued in its own right and because it is critical for sustained economic growth, faster poverty reduction, and inclusive development. Under investments in women are missed opportunities to correct gender disparities and to capture and unleash the economic and human capital potential of women. Hence, ADBs long-term strategic frameworkStrategy 2020 includes promoting gender equity as one of the five drivers of change. The corporate results framework to measure performance includes concrete numerical gender targets to be met by 2012. Gender performance istracked and reported annually. Periodic reviews of the GAD policy in 2002 Interim Progress Report on the Policy on GAD and 2006 GAD Policy Implementation Review confirm the Policys continued relevance and sound framework for supporting womens empowerment and gender equality outcomes.