The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is one with the LGBTQI community in the global campaign for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), where groups and communities across various local, national, regional and global levels organise events that advocate for equality and respect amongst all genders.

As we work towards promoting inclusivity and raising awareness on the rights of LGBTQI people, it is important that we look into implementing initiatives with a vision for sustainable and impactful outcomes. We echo the need to further call for a society which fully embraces the essence that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” wherein those in the LGBTQI community should be included in the conversation towards the full realisation of this basic right. After all, collective efforts pave for solutions that address the wide gaps on achieving true equality, where no one is left behind regardless of gender identity and expression.

The CHR, as the country’s Gender Ombud, will continue to advocate for the rights of all, highlighting the urgency to recognize the needs of the LGBTQI community in advocating for their equal rights and protection. We will exercise our mandate in order to ensure that the Philippines will further mainstream the collective duty of all to promote the welfare of LGBTQI members, protect them from discrimination and all forms of harm, and to fulfil their rights as citizens of their own communities.

“As part of our mandate to consistently uphold the rights of all, we will endeavour to advocate for an equal and free society where there is no space for hate, stigma, and discrimination. The Commission is cognisant of the many forms of gender violence and harassment being committed against various individuals and groups,” Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, CHR’s Focal Commissioner on Gender, said.

In line with this year’s celebration of the IDAHOBIT with the theme “No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all,” the CHR will be represented by Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, CHR’s Focal Commissioner on Gender, in the upcoming IDAHOBIT dialogue with the LGTBQI community. This will be held on 17 May 2024 with the Embassy of Mexico and in partnership with the Embassy of Germany, under the Equal Rights Coalition.###