GAD Seminar in Geneva Promotes Dialogue with Civil Society and Legal Practitioners

GENEVA 31 October 2023 - To advance gender equality and women empowerment and aquaint Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) members with the Philippine legal framework and procedures in handling sexual harassment cases, the Philippine Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) organized a seminar-discussion on gender and development (GAD)-related laws and regulations on 27 October 2023.

The activity aimed to foster a deeper understanding of gender-related laws and regulations and their pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and global peace, said Philippine Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ambassador Manuel Teehankee in his opening remarks. He explained “it is crucial to recognize that gender equality is not only a matter of human rights but a fundamental component of sustainable development.” He further encouraged the participants, composed of officers and staff members of the Philippine Mission to WTO and the Philippine Mission to the United Nations, to actively engage in open and respectful dialogue so that “we can collectively work towards a more equitable and inclusive world, where the potential of every individual is harnessed, where gender should never be a barrier to progress.”

Discussant Atty. Louie John Lood of ACCRA Law Offices-Cebu discussed Philippine legal frameworks and regulations that underpin gender and development initiatives, while reactants shared insights on root causes of gender-based sexual harassment and some practical steps that diplomats can take to promote gender equality within diplomatic missions. Specifically, Atty. Lood, who also teaches at the College of Law of the University of San Carlos, discussed the Philippine CODI system, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law, the Safe Spaces Act, and related laws and regulations of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Former Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) chairperson Dr. Rhodora Bucoy, former PCW attorney Xyra Cuevas, Atty. Fred Pamaos, and Philippine Mission to the UN Attaché Atty. Neil Brillantes shared comments, insights and recommendations on the discussion, the Philippine laws, and data in the Philippines on sexual harassment cases.

Atty. Oliver Delfin, First Secretary and GAD Focal Person of the Philippine Mission to WTO, said the activity has increased the awareness of personnel on gender-related laws and regulations, fostered cooperation with civil society and the legal community on knowledge sharing, promoted practices for achieving gender equality, and encouraged diplomats to to integrate gender perspectives into their work.

In her closing remarks, Deputy Permanent Representative Kristine Leilani Salle of the Philippine Mission to the UN and Chairperson of the joint CODI of the two Philippine Missions in Geneva, stressed the importance of integrating gender and development principles in the daily work of diplomats especially in the areas of human rights, trade and development, environment and migration. END

For more information, visit https://wtopm.dfa.gov.ph/