should be taken into consideration and due measures adopted for their
protection including the provision of psychosocial and medical services,
procurement of maintenance medicines or therapy, provision of access
to and contact with children and family, and ensuring access to hygiene
and menstrual kits.
4. On food. It is recommended that the BJMP and the BuCor ensure
compliance with the Mandela and Bangkok Rules, particularly in
ensuring that every detained person is provided with sufficient
food with nutritional value adequate for health and strength and of
wholesome quality, well prepared and served (Rule 22). The needed
nutritional content for pregnant and lactating women should also be
taken into consideration. Monitoring by the BJMP and BuCor and by the
Department of Interior and Local Government of lock-up cells should be
undertaken to address complaints regarding the quality of food and to
ensure that minimum standards are complied with.
5. On water and sanitation. The Mandela Rules require that drinking
water should be available to every prisoner whenever he or she needs
it (Rule 22). It also requires access to water and toilet articles necessary
for health and cleanliness (Rule 18). The Bangkok Rules on the other
hand are very specific in the need to ensure access to water for personal
care of children and women, in particular women involved in cooking
and those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating. Access to
safe and clean toilets and bathrooms should be ensured especially for
the elderly and those with disability. Considering the foregoing, LGUs
should assist detention facilities in improving facilities and the BuCor
and BJMP should continue to improve facilities to comply with minimum
standards. The Gender and Development Budget should be further
utilized to respond to gender-specific issues in the facilities including
water and sanitation and the availability of hygiene kits, among
others. Regular consultation with women deprived of liberty should be
conducted to surface gender-specific issues and needs.
6. On security and safety. There should be zero tolerance and clear
accountability for forms of violence, including sexual violence in
detention. In accordance with the Convention Against Torture, rape
and other forms of sexual violence are forms of torture and should
be seriously and urgently addressed. Discipline measures adopted in
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