Insights and Reflections on the CHR National Inquiry on RH Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit I would begin this insights and reflection by giving thanks to all who participated in the activities of the Commission on Human Rights’ National Inquiry on Reproductive Health and Rights. To our fifteen regional offices who conducted the regional consultations, to the five CHR regional offices, particularly regions V, VIII, IX, X and NCR who undertook the fact finding and public hearings, to the different organizations, government agencies and individuals who made the consultations productive and meaningful. I am thankful too, to the members of the community who participated during the fact finding and public hearings who opened their doors, their hearts and minds, and shared their stories, specially our partners Likhaan Center for Women and Sarilaya. Thank you for braving many obstacles not just political, but also economic and physical barriers to your being with us in the fact finding and public hearings. First, let me share my reflections, particularly the negative ones. Because we are in human rights work we always look for what’s lacking, we look or gaps and we always look at the glass half empty. I witnessed different forms of discrimination during the conduct of the National Inquiry on RH. I have seen discrimination on the basis of disability, economic status, SOGI, ethnicity and discrimination on the basis of perhaps religious belief. More than discrimination, I am disturbed by another ‘D,’ one that is more deliberate. In some of the areas I have seen the “deliberate disregard” for women’s choices, the disregard of women’s right to have a choice. This disregard I have seen from one particular local government unit. I am specifically disturbed by the disregard and disrespect for women in Sorsogon City were we have seen how women were not allowed the wide range of choices even when they are in fact available. I am disturbed with Sorsogon because the situation does not only affect family planning they are also targeting vaccinations for our children. It is disturbing because we would want to see a local government unit that would create an enabling environment. Local Government Units are mandated to provide the whole range of reproductive services, not to favor one over the other, especially when the services and resources are available. While we have established that the Department of 3