PH Advocates Protection of Women Migrant Workers, as UN Third Committee Concludes

Ambassador Enrique Manalo: “The Philippines has long been a staunch advocate of the  rights of women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and migrants” (Photo from NYPM)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 23 November 2021 — Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo led the Philippine Mission to the UN in advancing the promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of the most vulnerable peoples, including women migrant workers, during the UN’s consideration of social, cultural and humanitarian issues.

After eight weeks of meetings and negotiations, the Third Committee concluded its work, adopting 62 resolutions and one decision. The resolution, “Violence Against Women Migrant Workers” was co-facilitated by Philippine Mission’s First Secretary and Third Committee expert Maria Roseny Fangco with the Third Committee expert from Indonesia. The resolution urges Member States to establish an inclusive and gender-responsive public health response to COVID-19 that addresses the specific needs of women, provides equitable access to comprehensive healthcare services for women migrant workers, including effective and affordable vaccination.

Consistent with the Philippines’ support for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), the resolution “Violence Against Women Migrant Workers” invites Member States engaged in the IMRF to take into consideration all relevant resolutions in their discussion for the Progress Declaration of the IMRF.

Under the leadership of Ambassador Manalo, the Philippines co-sponsored all resolutions under the agenda item on social development. This includes resolutions on youth, ageing and social inclusion. The Philippines also co-sponsored all resolutions under the agenda item on advancement of women.

As member of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Philippines is also a co-sponsor of the resolution on “Ensuring equitable, affordable, timely and universal access for all countries to vaccines in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic,” which aims to boost international action through the United Nations to facilitate global recovery from the pandemic.

The Third Committee met from 30 September to 19 November 2021, during which it heard statements from Member States and Observers of the General Assembly, conducted interactive dialogues with special procedures mandate holders and other experts and held virtual intergovernmental negotiations on draft resolutions. END

For more information, visit https://www.un.int/philippines/ and https://web.facebook.com/PHMissionNY

The Third Committee concludes its work after 8 weeks of virtual and in-person meetings amid continued constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo from NYPM)