CEDAW Features

Philippines : NCR - Luzon - Visayas - Mindanao

Thailand

A is for Abortion, a public health issue
By Olivia H. Tripon
Manila

Every hour, some 46 induced abortions are performed in the Philippines. In the year 2000, 26.7 women in every 1000 of reproductive age 15-44, made the desperate choice to end their pregnancies at the risk of their own lives. Lack of access to contraceptives and information, women’s unequal status in the home, lack of logistics and local government support and the unmet need for contraceptives are contributing factors of induced abortion.

Illegal, clandestine and unsafe abortion is a public health concern. In 1994-98, it is the third leading cause of hospitalization in DOH hospitals. The Tripartite research shows that 78,901 were hospitalized for induced abortion out of the estimated 473,408 nationwide. And because it is illegal, the conspiracy of silence makes the others get away -- the one who administered the abortion, and the man…leaving only the woman to suffer.

“To have a woman go through unsafe procedures when safe abortion methods are available is a form of violence against women and must not be condoned.” A 2-part series: Part 1: 1238 words, Part 2: 1333 words

A Survivor’s Continuing Battle
By Elena Masilungan
Manila

The signing of Republic Act 9262 into law on March 8 last year, International Women's day, is a positive step forward to advance and protect the human rights of women and their children. With this law in place, women are now protected from abuses from their current or former husbands, live-in partners, boyfriends, and intimate partners. The protection also applies to their children. RA 9262, the Violence against Women and Their Children Act (VAWC Act) if implemented right, can be a concrete initiative toward implementing CEDAW, the international agreement that addresses the human rights of women.

However, according to Plinky Recto, speaking from her personal experience as petitioner in a court battle against her ex-partner for violating RA 9262, the provisions of the law are not enforced the way they should be by authorities.

“My hope is that other women would learn from my experience, acknowledge that they are in a similar situation, and eventually they themselves take that first step to stop it,” she says. 1324 words

No Looking Back
By Sylvia G. Hubilla
Manila

At 60, an age when most people are retiring, Dolores is only starting to look for some means of support for herself. With no capital to start a business, and not young enough to apply for a job, how does a separated woman like Dolores move on? A victim of abuse, Dolores tried so long to hold on to a failed marriage with a womanizing husband.

Dolores is just starting to pick up the pieces of her life after 35 years. Knowing now that she can seek redress through legal measures -- RA 9262 or the Anti Violence Against Women and Children Law, and even CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women), the United Nations international treaty for the protection of women’s rights, Dolores has found the courage to walk away.

“Life is not a series of events. It is a series of choices…You cannot just let your life happen for you.” 1954 words

CEDAW 101 : A treaty looking after women’s human rights.
By Claire Villacorta
Manila

At first glance, it may seem like we’ve come this far rocking the status quo. But if it means we’ve finally achieved a certain degree of equality with men, are we necessarily reaping the benefits? Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo, the chairperson of the CEDAW Committee, and the first Filipina to head this body, says “Women are often unaware of the rights they have under the law, and they may not be empowered to claim them effectively.” 85 words

Perils of Teaching English in Asia
By Michelle R. Bayaua
Baguio City

Next to domestic helpers, doctors and nurses, English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers are fast becoming in-demand nowadays.. From Korea, to China, to Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and the Middle East and as far as Europe, foreign school administrators and recruitment agencies are hiring Filipino ESL teachers at an astounding rate. Filipinos have historically been tied to the language since its colonial days under the USA more than 50 years ago and are known to speak it fluently. While this helps elevate the stereotype of Filipinos from domestic helpers to that as professionals, it is not without its drawbacks.

For one, Filipinos are not allowed to teach English legally in some countries, such as Korea and China “because they are not native speakers, such as the Americans and Canadians, who have the correct accent.” Hence these governments do not provide legal protection.

Writer Michelle Bayaua gives a glimpse of the situation of a Filipina as an ESL teacher in Korea through the story of Kate (not her real name), which many other Filipino ESL teachers here may be encountering. (1,531 words)