Discrimination and violence against women remain key human rights challenges in the
Philippines. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women (2006) identified areas of concern, including the "persistence of patriarchal attitudes
and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the
family and society," persistent trafficking in women and girls, the exploitation of prostitution and
low rates of prosecution and conviction of traffickers and those who exploit the prostitution of
women. The Committee rued the lack of progress in undertaking and completing necessary
revisions of discriminatory provisions in national laws.
Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women
Target 3a: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and at all levels of education by
2015
Probability of
Philippine lndicators
Baseline Year
Target
Midterm
MDG
Fourth
Second
Meeting Target
Watch
indicated in
2015
Report
Progress
Progress
**i*
*
(2011)
(zoon
Report
Report (2005)
0*
****
**
**
(2010)
***
3.1a Ratio of girls to boys
in primary education
1.0
(1
3.1b Ratio of girls to boys
in secondary education
3.1c Ratio of girls to boys
in tertiary education
3.2 Share of women in
wage employment in the
1 .1
***
/2000)
1.0
993)
40.1
(1
1.0
996)
1.3
(1
1.0***
(2000)
996)
1.l
t1
1.0
50.0
eeo)
1.0
(2006)
1.2
{2006)
1.2
(2005)
.3***
42***
(2003)
(2006)
41
High
1.0
1.0
(2008)
(201 1)
1.2
(2008)
(201 1)
1.2
(2008)
1.2
/2010'|
Low
41 .9
(200e)
41 .9
High
(200e)
1.0
High
non-aqricultural sector
3.3 Proportion of
seats
held by women in national
11.3
(1ee2)
50.0
21 .4
Low
(2010)
Darliament
Sources:
* National Statistical Coordination Board, MDG Watch as of September 2010, http://www.nscb.gov.ph/stats/mdg/mdg_watch.asp.
** National Economic and Development Authority
*** Based on the Fourth Progress Report (2010) of the National Economic and Development Authority
**** National Statistical Coordination Board, MDG Watch as of October 2012, http://www.nscb.gov.ph/stats/mdg/mdg_watch.asp
The Committee noted the "possible adverse impact that trade liberalization may have on the
living and working conditions of Filipino women, especially in rural areas," the high
unemployment rate among women and gender wage gap and the overrepresentation of
women in the informal economy, which negatively atfects their eligibility for social security and
health care. The Committee also found a low level of participation of women in elected and
public bodies.
The Committee, and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2008), also found
inadequate recognition and protection of women's rights to life and health, citing high maternal
mortality rates, particularly the number of deaths resulting from induced abortions, high fertility
rates, inadequate family planning services, low rates of contraceptive use and difficulties in
obtaining contraceptives, lack of sex education, especially in rural areas, and a high rate of
teenage pregnancies. The Committee on the Rights of the Child (2009) noted the low practice
of exclusive breastfeeding, insufficient maternity leave periods and differences in criteria for
entitlement to maternity leave for workers in the public and private sectors, inadequate
reproductive health services and information, which contribute to high rates of teenage
pregnancies and maternal deaths, and the lack of effective measures to promote the
reproductive rights of women and girls.
15