The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recognizes and supports the efforts of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to mainstream gender and development (GAD) concerns in the Peace and Security Sector.

Through a virtual signing ceremony held last 14 September 2021, the PCW and AFP inked an agreement to promote gender sensitivity and develop gender-responsive policies within the military. The partnership agreement endeavors to equip the AFP, which includes the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Air Force, in terms of strengthening gender and development implementation, programs, and policies within the security sector.

Integrating gender perspective in security plans and operations will help ensure a genuine human security approach that will consider the differing needs of all genders across all spectrum and will put primacy to the most vulnerable groups, including women and girls. It will also help ensure that the voice of women are heard in decision-making concerning security programs, community operations, and peace processes.

CHR is hopeful that integrating gender lens will ensure better compliance with human rights principles through the inclusion and recognition of the concerns and interests of minority and vulnerable groups. When all genders are included in the decision-making process and formulation of policies and programs, we can expect increased efficiency and better results that can be genuinely felt by the concerned groups.

In the context of the pandemic, this initiative will also help promote greater sensitivity to the plight of women within the security sector and the women in the communities that AFP serves. Considering the vulnerabilities of women due to gender-based discrimination, violence, and abuses compounded in these fragile times, the Commission appreciates continuing efforts that aim for greater protection for them.

We hope that these efforts will translate to reduction of gender-based violations and will result to improved situation of women within the military and the communities they serve. As Gender Ombud, CHR is always open to provide additional support to complement this endeavor. ###