Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

The CEDAW Bill was adopted in the year 1979 and was ratified in our country in July of 1981.
It promotes the rights of women as well as raising awareness to the society in order to empower women
and help fight against those who discriminate them as well as those who hinder their progress in the
communities they are involved in. The Treaty was ratified by 187 Countries.

Article 1 of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against women defines the term
discrimination to women which covers every facet of human rights as well as fundamental
freedoms in terms of political, economic, social, cultural etc
Article 2 Discusses the role of the state in creating equality for women and giving them the
respect they deserve from the society.
Article 3 Gives the state the opportunity to empower women by taking up appropriate
measures and creating laws which would uphold the rights of women in every aspect giving
them the treatment they deserve which would eventually promote equality in the society.
Article 4 Allows the state to implement certain laws and plans of action which would accelerate
the process of equality in the society, if need be this laws shall be eradicated when the objective
in this case equality has been achieved.
Article 5 Plans to abolish laws which would discriminate women and create laws which would
eliminate the tradition of women being inferior to men and men being superior to women.
Article 6 Urges the state to do everything that can be done in addressing human trafficking such
as exploitation and prostitution of women.
Article 7 Equality in Political affairs such as voting, being able to run for office and participation
in civil events of the society.
Article 8 Equality and allows women to be able to represent their country in international
events and work for international organizations representing their respective countries.
Article 9 States should enable women to allow them to change, retain or acquire the nationality
they have chosen the same way a man could.
Article 10 State should allow women to receive the education they deserve and allow them to
flourish in their chosen field without the state intervening on what they should and should not
do. Allow them to choose for themselves what they should and should not undertake.
Article 11 Employment, allow them to have the same rights as men have in terms of
employment and having the same benefits that men have been enjoying in their respective
fields. Also emphasizes the need to protect women who are in maternity.
Article 12 Equality in receiving proper medical and other health care related services.
Article 13 Equality in their Social and Economic life, allow them to flourish in their chosen sport
and to be able to choose their own cultural way of life as well as giving them the same family
benefits that men do.
Article 14 Entrust the state to do what needs to be done in managing the delicate situation of
Rural women. Allow them to participate in developmental planning and given them the benefits
they deserve.
 Article 15 Equality before the Law. Be able to own properties, choose their residency and legal
rights to enter contracts.
Article 16 Equality in Marriage and Family. Be able to have the same rights to men when it
comes to matters related to Marriage and Family.
Articles 17-24 Explains the committee of CEDAW and also the reporting procedures of the
countries which eradicated the law. Protocols of the said Treaty.
Articles 25-30 Administration of the Convention and explains the proper approach should
conflicts between countries arise.

Definite Plans of Action in Addressing Discrimination:

Every State should adopt appropriate legislative actions such as laws and sanctions as well as
establishing legal protection of the rights of women on an equal basis with men. (Article 2)
Every State should well establish these laws in their institutions so that the public would act in
conformity with these laws. (Article 2)
Every State should act accordingly in taking up measures which would abolish customs and
practices that may discriminate women in anyway. (Article 2)
Create Laws which would give them freedom in every aspect of human life. (Article 3)
Freedom to Vote, Run for Office, Participate in Civil Events. (Article 7)
Same benefits in education like choosing their own vocation. (Article 10)
Have access to adequate health care facilities, including information, counselling and services in
planning. (Article 14)
Organization of self help groups and co-operatives. (Article 14)
State Parties agree that all contracts and all private instruments of any kind with a legal effect
which is directed at restricting the legal capacity of women shall be deemed null and void.
(Article 15)
Same rights to be able to choose their spouse and to enter into marriage only with their free
and full consent. (Article 16)

State obligations

Ensure Practical Realization

Prohibit the Discrimination against women
Modify or abolish laws which would discriminate women
Embody equality

Philippine Commission on Women

RELATED LAWS:
Republic Act 10354
-Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012
Republic Act 9710
-Magna Carta for Women
Republic Act 10398
- An Act Declaring November 25 of every year as National Consciousness Day For the
Elimination of Violence against women and children.
Republic Act 10361
- Domestic Workers Act or Batas Kasambahay
Republic Act 10174
- An Act establishing the peoples survival fund to provide long term finance streams to enable
the government to effectively address the problem of climate change.
Republic Act 10121
- Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010
Republic Act 9995
- Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009
Republic Act 9775
- Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009
Republic Act 9729
- Climate Change Act of 2009
Republic Act 9501
- Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. (MSMEs)
Republic Act 9262
- Anti-Violence against women and their children Act of 2004
Republic Act 9208
- Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003
Republic Act 9178
- Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act of 2002
Republic Act 8980
- Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Act
Republic Act 8972
- Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000
Republic Act 8760
- General Appropriations Act of 2000
Republic Act 8745
- General Appropriations Act of 1999
Republic Act 8425
- Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act
Republic Act 8551
- Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998
Republic Act 8552
- Domestic Adoption Act of 1998
Republic Act 8533
- An Act Amending title I, Chapter 3, Article 39 of Executive Order No. 209, Otherwise known as
the Family Code of the Philippines, Ifying the prescriptive period for action or defences
grounded on psychological incapacity.
Republic Act 8522
- General Appropriations Act of 1998
Republic Act 8503
- Health Research and Development Act of 1998
Republic Act 8504
- Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998
Republic Act 8505
- Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998
Republic Act 8425
- Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act
Republic Act 8551
- Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998
Republic Act 8424
- The Tax Reform Act of 1997
Republic Act 8371
- The Indigenous People Rights Act of 1997
Republic Act 8369
- Family Courst Act of 1997
Republic Act 8370
- Childrens Television Act of 1997
Republic Act 8368
- Anti-Squatting Law Repeal Act of 1997
Republic Act 8353
- Anti-Rape Law of 1997
Executive Order No. 443
- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) is one of the nine flagships
under the social reforms agenda, specially aimed at empowering the disadvantaged
communities to access services that will address their minimum basic needs
Republic Act 8344
- An Act Penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer appropriate initial
medical treatment and support in emergency or serious cases.
Republic Act 8296
- The National Childrens Broadcasting Day
Republic Act 8291
- The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997
Republic Act 8289
- Magna Carta for Small Enterprises
Republic Act 8250
- General Appropriations Act of 1997
Executive Order No. 340
- Day Care Services and their Coverage.
Republic Act 8187
- Paternity Leave Act of 1996
Republic Act 8174
- General Appropriations Act of 1996
Republic Act 8171
- An Act Providing for Repatriation of Filipino Women who have lost their Philippine Citizenship
by Marriage to Aliens and of Natural- Born Filipinos

Executive Order No. 275

- Creating a Committee for the Special Protection of Children from All Forms of Neglect, Abuse,
Cruelty, Exploitation, Discrimination, and other Conditions Prejudicial to their Development
Executive Order No. 273
- Approval and Adoption of Philippine Plan for Gender- Responsive Development, 1995-2025
Executive Order No. 268
- Amending Executive Order No. 208 Further Defining the composition, powers and functions
of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women
Republic Act 8043
- The Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995
Republic Act 8044
- Youth in Nation-Building Act
Republic Act 7941
- Party List System Act
Republic Act 7882
- Provision of Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and Cottage Business Enterprises, and for
other purposes
Republic Act 7883
- Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentive Act of 1995
Republic Act 7884
- National Dairy Development Act of 1995
Republic Act 7875
- National Health Insurance Act of 1995
Republic Act 7877
- Anti-Sexual Harrasment Act of 1995
Republic Act 7836
- Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

The ICCPR Bill was adopted in December 16, 1966 and enacted on March 23, 1976 it outlines
and elaborates the fundamental civil and political rights that we should all have in the society.
Furthermore it emphasizes our freedom to express. The Treaty was ratified by 168 countries.

Article 1 Every Individual has the freedom to freely determine their political status as well as being able
to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
Article 2 No Individual shall be judged based on Race, Color, Sex, Language, Political, Religion, other
opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The state should be able to promote
equality and be able to ensure all individuals within its territory that they are protected by the state and
their rights are to be followed.
Article 3 The State should be able to promote equality between men and women. The state should also
ensure that the civil and political rights individuals are to be followed and enjoyed upon.
Article 4 In extreme cases the State is allowed to put limitations in the rights of individuals as long as it
would promote the general welfare of the society. No Discrimination in anyway shall these limitations
be used.
Article 5 No Person, Government or Law should be able to destroy any of the civil and political rights
that an Individual is experiencing.

Article 6 Every Human being should be allowed to live their life. No one should be deprived of his/her
life. These rights shall be protected by the laws of the state.

Article 7 Every Individual should not be treated inhumanely in anyway. Particularly an individual should
not take part in Medical or Scientific Experimentations without their proper consent.
Article 8 No Individual should be a subject to slavery by anyone in the society.
Article 9 Every Individual should not be deprived of their Liberty and Freedom except those cases that
would be considered offensive to the state. In accordance with the established laws, should be allowed
to detain an individual.
Article 10 Every Individual who has lost their Liberty due to crimes or offenses against the State should
still be treated with Humanity and Respect.
Article 11 No Individual should be imprisoned on the basis of unable to fulfil a contract or obligation.
Article 12 Every Individual has the right to choose their Residence in Areas within the scope of the State.
Article 13 An Individual who alienated to a certain state should be decided in accordance with the laws
of the state, with the exception of threats to the National Security of the State.
Article 14 Every Individual should have the right of equality before the law. Everyone is entitled to due
process and that an accused should be presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court
presiding the case.
Article 15 No Individual should be charged with a sentence for a criminal offence unless they are proven
guilty. Nor should an accused be charged with a harsher sentence if the laws have been changed after
the sentence was given.
Article 16 Every Individual should be recognized everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 17 Every Individual has the right to privacy and protection from the established laws of the state.
Article 18 Every Individual is entitled to choose their own sense of beliefs, thoughts, and religion. No law
should stop them from doing so.
Article 19 Every Individual has the Liberty to voice out their concerns. And be able to freely express
themselves and their opinions without the interference of the state.
Article 20 No Individual should be allowed to propagate war, crime, racism, and hatred to religion.
Article 21 Every Individual has the right to peaceful assembly as long as it is in conformity with the laws
of the state which is necessary in a democratic society.
Article 22 Every Individual should be allowed to join organizations and associations as they please.
Article 23 Every Individual has the right to form a family and get married without any interference from
the state.
Article 24 Every Child should be given proper rights and should not be discriminated in anyway in the
society. No matter what race, gender, colour, religion, and language they have.
Article 25 The Right to enjoy various Political Rights. To be able to vote as well as join elections without
unreasonable restrictions.
Article 26 Every Individual should be treated equally before the law and should be protected equally
before the law.
Article 27 The Right of every ethnic group to enjoy their own culture, belief, thought, or religion without
constraints from the state.
Article 28-53 A Committee on Human Rights should be established and shall consist of 18 members who
are competent and have high moral standards in order to promote the welfare of every individual of the
society. Furthermore the articles included explain the guidelines and procedures needed to properly
execute the said committee. The functions of the committee to the society and also proper coordination
with other countries that would help states that eradicated the said treaty to fulfil its role in promoting
the civil and political rights of individuals in the society.
Related Laws:

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10630

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9344, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND WELFARE ACT
OF 2006 AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10627

AN ACT REQUIRING ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO ADOPT POLICIES TO PREVENT AND
ADDRESS THE ACTS OF BULLYING IN THEIR INSTITUTIONS

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10624

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FISH PORT IN BARANGAY SABANG, MUNICIPALITY OF
CALABANGA, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10623

AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7581, ENTITLED AN ACT PROVIDING
PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS BY STABILIZING THE PRICES OF BASIC NECESSITIES AND PRIME
COMMODITIES AND BY PRESCRIBING MEASURES AGAINST UNDUE PRICE INCREASES DURING
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND LIKE OCCASIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10591

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LAW ON FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION AND PROVIDING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10590

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9189, ENTITLED AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF
OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING BY QUALIFIED CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES ABROAD, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10572

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE LIABILITY OF THE ABSOLUTE COMMUNITY OR CONJUGAL PARTNERSHIP FOR
AN OBLIGATION OF A SPOUSE WHO PRACTICES A PROFESSION AND THE CAPABILITY OF EITHER SPOUSE
TO DISPOSE OF AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OTHER SPOUSE, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 73 AND 111 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209, ALSO KNOWN AS THE FAMILY
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10395

AN ACT STRENGTHENING TRIPARTISM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLE 275 OF PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 442, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10361
AN ACT INSTITUTING POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION
AND WELFARE OF DOMESTIC WORKERS

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10354

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10364

AN ACT EXPANDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9208, ENTITLED AN ACT TO INSTITUTE POLICIES TO ELIMINATE
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, ESTABLISHING THE NECESSARY
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUPPORT OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS,
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10174

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PEOPLES SURVIVAL FUND TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM FINANCE STREAMS TO
ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9729, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CLIMATE CHANGE ACT OF
2009, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

The Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CAT) was adopted on December 10,1984 and was forced into entry on June
26,1987. It was ratified by 155 countries.

Article 1 Defines torture as an act of inflicting severe pain or suffering whether physical or mental to a
person whether to obtain certain information or to punish a person for something he has committed.
Article 2 No Law, Government, Or Jurisdiction shall in anyway justify torture. Laws from the legislative,
administrative as well as in the judiciary shall be used effectively in preventing acts of torture under its
jurisdiction.
Article 3 No State should be allowed to expel, return, or extradite a person in areas wherein there are
substantial evidences in which a person might be subjected to torture.
Article 4 Each State should ensure that all acts of torture would be an offence against the law of the
land. Those who have committed torture shall be punished by the law with the appropriate penalties
given the account of the graveness of the torture that has been committed. Any attempt of torture shall
be punished by the law. Those who also helped or can be considered as an accomplice shall be punished
by the law as well.
Article 5 Explains the need for a state to establish measures or ground rules in cases which would deem
the jurisdictions unspecific.
Article 6 Any Person who has committed torture shall be taken into custody by the state whether or not
he resides in that country. Jurisdictions shall be effective immediately in such cases.
Article 7 The State if it does not extradite the offender should give the offenders case to a competent
authority in which he should be trialled in court and be able to be given fair proceedings taken into
account that every person is innocent unless found guilty by the presiding court.
Article 8 Individuals who have committed Torture, attempted torture, or has been used as an
accomplice to torture if been found guilty of the crime in another state shall be extradited back to his
country. If no standing treaty between extraditions of the two countries this shall serve as a basis in
extradition treaties.
Article 9 States involved in the said case of torture should work together to form a competent and
comprehensive report regarding the incident.
Article 10 Every State should ensure to educate its personnel in the government regarding the
prohibition of torture.
Article 11 Each State should systematically review its interrogation rules, instructions, methods, and
practices, as well as arrangements for custody and treatment of a person subject to form of arrest,
detention or imprisonment in any territory under its jurisdiction to prevent cases of torture.
Article 12 Each State shall competently and intensively review cases in which there is partial or impartial
evidence that a torture has been conducted under its jurisdictions.
Article 13 Each State should ensure the safety of the individuals who have been subject to torture.
Article 14 States should ensure that victims of torture shall be given proper compensation. In the event
that the victim has been killed by torture, the family of the victim shall be given proper compensation.
Article 15 States should not consider statements made as a result of torture to be used as evidence
except it is used against the accused person of torture.
Article 16 No state should protect those officials who have been found guilty of torture. No law should
protect them from such offences. Punishments shall be dealt accordingly under the Laws applicable to
every citizen of the state.
Article 17-33 Extensively explains the procedures and guideline to be followed by the states who have
convened for the said treaty.
RELATED LAWS:

Republic Act No. 9745

AN ACT PENALIZING TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN AND DEGRADING TREATMENT OR
PUNISHMENT AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR

Republic Act No. 10175

AN ACT DEFINING CYBERCRIME, PROVIDING FOR THE PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, SUPPRESSION AND
THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9346

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE IMPOSITION OF DEATH PENALTY IN THE PHILIPPINES

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10361

AN ACT INSTITUTING POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION
AND WELFARE OF DOMESTIC WORKERS

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10627

AN ACT REQUIRING ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO ADOPT POLICIES TO PREVENT AND
ADDRESS THE ACTS OF BULLYING IN THEIR INSTITUTIONS

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10168

AN ACT DEFINING THE CRIME OF FINANCING OF TERRORISM, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Republic Act No. 9775

AN ACT DEFINING THE CRIME OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9710

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN