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CEDAW Features Philippines : NCR - Luzon - Visayas - Mindanao Davao City marks Day of No Prostitution Panny, 14, was among the girls who joined older women in a march-rally during the International “No to Prostitution Day” last October 5 in Davao City. Prostitution is deemed as a form of sexual violence and widely perceived as a human rights violation. The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), an international agreement passed in 1981, put to task state parties like the Philippines to respect, protect and promote women's human rights citing trafficking and prostitution of women as serious issues that need to be addressed. "I really liked joining this rally and helping in this cause. I was able to express how I truly feel. Abuses against prostituted women and children should stop. Men should realize that they cannot continue to hurt us and use us," Panny said. Anti-Vagrancy Law Police arrested Mary Salsaba and her friend on the night of November 14, 2003 on the ground of vagrancy,a crime punishable under Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code. Recently, the case of People v. Salsaba has gained prominence as a test case after women's groups questioned the constitutionality of Article 202. The case is now pending before the Supreme Court after the Regional Trial Court in Davao City declared the anti-vagrancy provision as unconstitutional. Under Article 15 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), "parties shall accord to women equality with men before the law." Unless also women are ensured of access to legal assistance, Article 15 is rendered meaningless.
Barangay Health Workers at the Frontline: Serving where Angels (and Doctors) Fear to Tread Basilan has attained international notoriety with the terrorist activities of the dissident Abu Sayyafs. At present, the tumult has ceased and even as an uneasy peace pervades, residents try to rebuild their ravaged community. The situation however of the health sector remains critical. At present, there is one doctor for every 144,865 and one Nurse for every 10,760. Lamitan District Hospital has a note permanently stuck on the front door; “Sorry, we have no doctor.” The other district hospital in Sumisip has remained non-functional. In the absence of medical personnel, volunteer Barangay Health Workers bravely try to fill the dearth but their efforts are not given just recompense. Corruption, neglect and lack of LGU support threaten even this sector. Last summer, five children died of diarrhea in our barangay. The mothers of the sick children asked my help but all I had was some condoms and contraceptive pills.
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