Country Gender Assessment: Philippines

Abstract

The Philippines has made significant progress in empowering women and in advancing gender equality. Since the Government introduced a constitution in 1987 affirming women’s equality with men, there have been serious efforts to mainstream gender concerns in government policies and programs. In 1987, the Philippines Development Plan for Women was developed, followed by the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development, 1995– 2025, whose preparation and adoption were coordinated by the government agency for women, the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. More recently, a Framework Plan for Women was drafted by the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. The framework identifies three priority concerns to meet the objectives of gender equality and women’s empowerment: economic empowerment of women, protection and fulfillment of women’s human rights, and gender-responsive governance.