UNDP and Commission on Human Rights release new report: Legal Gender Recognition in the Philippines
21 June 2018
In time for the celebration of the pride month this June, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) published a report detailing the current situation of gender rights in the Philippines, specifically for trans legal recognition. Entitled the “Legal Gender Recognition in the Philippines: A Legal and Policy Review”, the report also gives a full list of recommendations on how further to push for recognition of transgender rights, including the passage of the or the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
“Even in a country that scores high in the gender equality index, lack of legal recognition of transgender persons in the Philippines heightens their vulnerability to gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination,” said Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit of CHR.
In the current legal framework of the Philippines, Magna Carta of Women recognizes SOGIE as an important sector of society that deserves the protection from all forms of violence and discrimination. In the local level, ordinances that protect LGBT people, from discrimination on the basis of SOGI have been passed in 3 provinces, 12 cities, 1 municipality and 3 barangays. Though these are clear triumphs for transgender rights, more concrete laws and policies with specific implementing rules and regulations need to be in place.
SOGIE Equality Bill, which is its third and final reading and is currently being deliberated in the Senate, and the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill (CADB), currently in deliberation in Congress, seek to define, prohibit, and penalize situations and practices of discrimination on the basis of SOGIE as well as promote and protect the rights of LGBTI are important pieces of legislations.
“These are two remarkable achievements which if passed and properly implemented, will make a difference in the lives of LGBTI in the Philippines. This in line with meeting the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups that is vital to leaving no one behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.” said Emmanuel Buendia, UNDP Team Leader for Democratic Governance.
Going beyond recommendation for legal reform, the paper also advocates for allocating resources for gender research, awareness activities, and gender sensitivity training, especially for civil servants handling transgender concerns. Know more about the recommendations by downloading a copy of the report here.
“Legal Gender Recognition on the Philippines: A Legal and Policy Review” study is part of a larger regional initiative, jointly implemented by UNDP and the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN), which undertook a comprehensive review of existing laws, policies and practices related to legal gender recognition for transgender people in Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand. The regional study is available here.
For more information, please contact:
Rosana Ombao, Communications Associate, UNDP Philippines
rosana.ombao@undp.org
About UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves quality of life for everyone. On the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. www.undp.org
In the Philippines, UNDP fosters human development for peace and prosperity. Working with central and local governments as well as civil society, and building on global best practices, UNDP strengthens capacities of women, men and institutions to empower them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the objectives of the Philippine Development Plan. Through advocacy and development projects, with a special focus on vulnerable groups, UNDP works to ensure a better life for the Filipino people. www.ph.undp.org
Originally published at http://www.ph.undp.org/ on 21 June 2018.
