GR 24 of the Convention, the Committee required that “appropriate measures are taken to ensure women’s access to services in the areas of family planning, pregnancy, confinement and post-natal period and to sexual and reproductive health services. 8” It stressed that “State parties’ failure to remove barriers to women’s effective access to reproductive and sexual health services constitutes discrimination against women 9.” This view has been reiterated in the CEDAW Committee’s views in its inquiry in the City of Manila. In its views released in 2015, the Committee concluded that the Philippine government is accountable for grave and systematic violations of women’s rights under the CEDAW especially their rights to health [Art 12] and family planning [Art. 16 (1)(e); Art. 10 (h)] in the issuance of the “Pro-Life” EO. It then called on the State to respect, protect, and fulfill women’s reproductive rights and address the unmet need for contraception by ensuring universal and affordable access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services, commodities and related information, including by legalizing access to emergency contraception. The Committee has issued a robust set of recommendations, which include urging the Philippines to revoke executive orders 003 and 030, decriminalize abortion, and sensitize government representatives towards eliminating ideological barriers that limit women’s rights. Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710) The Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710) is the most comprehensive Philippine legislation upholding women’s rights. It provides legal basis for the enforcement of specific civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of women. Enacted in 2009, it is described as the Filipino women’s bill of rights. As the fulfillment of the Philippines’ commitment to CEDAW, the MCW prohibits discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting all human rights and fundamental freedoms of Filipino women. It reiterates the duty of the State, as the primary duty-bearer, to protect women against discrimination and violation of their rights, and to promote and fulfill their rights in all spheres. 8 9 GR Par. 2 GR Par. 11,14, and 17 13