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Philippine Centers (redirected from Philippines Centers)

Page history last edited by Jeff Plantilla 3 years, 11 months ago

 

Philippine Centers

 

Known Centers based in the Philippines

If your center is not in this list and you want to be added, please contact HURIGHTS OSAKA and we will assist you.

 

 


 

 

 

Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC)

- Ateneo de Manila University

 

Year Established:1986

 

Short Historical Background

 

February 25, 1986 was the historic climax of the EDSA Revolution, otherwise known as People Power I, which toppled a government infamous for human rights violations. It became obvious immediately thereafter that much work still had to be done in the field of human rights. It was in this context that the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) was established in July of that same year by Dean Eduardo de los Angeles of the School of Law of the Ateneo de Manila University and Atty. Abelardo Aportadera. AHRC's initial program was the Summer Internship Program, which was designed to provide law students with exposure to human rights work and advocacy and produced its first crop of interns in the summer of 1987. Since then, the Internship Program was expanded to include many other activities.

 

 

Objectives

 

AHRC aims

1) To form and sustain human rights lawyers and advocates in the Philippines 2) To make justice accessible to victims of human rights violations

3) To monitor and advocate for government compliance with human rights laws and instruments 4) To empower civil society towards peace, democracy, and in the pursuit of good governance and the rule of law.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

The Internship Program, the pioneer program of AHRC, is concerned with the formation law students in the Jesuit educational system and in the field of alternative law practice, it aims to introduce both Ateneo Law School and other partner law schools students nationwide to grassroots life and to human rights advocacy in the Philippines. The program was conceptualized to address the need for more peace and human rights advocates who are knowledgeable in the law and the Philippine legal system.

 

Child Rights Desk aims to promote and advance the rights of all children and to protect them from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination through its programs and activities. It also seeks to empower children, as well as their support groups, with the law and their rights, for the children to participate in the decisions involving their lives.

 

Katutubo (Indigenous Peoples Desk) serves as the implementing arm of the Free the Indigenous Peoples Legal Assistance Program of the Assisi Development Foundation, which is one component of the Human Security Framework for indigenous peoples (IPs) empowerment. It aims to address the problem of hundreds of IPs suffering in detention nationwide, possibly on false charges, by making quality legal assistance available to persons belonging to indigenous tribes. The program targets in particular those charged in relation to assertion of their right to self-determination, ancestral domain, non-discrimination, and other related rights under IPRA.

 

Urduja (Women) and Migrant Workers Desks are primarily focused in organizing and participating in regional and national conferences on women and migrant workers. These desks are also engaged in publishing and distributing books and other materials on issues and situation of Filipino women and Filipino migrant workers. The Urduja Desk, in particular, has been engaged in curriculum development and has been instrumental in introducing the elective course on Gender and the Law in the Law School. Both desks are working to expand and improve their activities through monitoring the situation of the sectors in Philippine society and the continuous research and studies on issues and possible law and policy reforms affecting these sectors.

 

The Litigation Unit involves the lawyers and law students in handling human rights cases. Student volunteers, with the supervision of AHRC lawyers, interview clients, gather information, and document assigned cases. In addition, volunteer lawyers, who are mostly alumni interns, are engaged on a pro bono basis to handle individual cases, with the help of the student volunteers.

 

Training and Education - AHRC conducts education and training seminars for the enhancement of human rights advocacy in the country. The topics and focus of the seminars range from lectures on national and international laws on human rights to skills development. The objective is mainly to empower target communities with the knowledge and skills needed to protect and uphold their rights. However, these seminars are also aimed to educate decision-makers and support groups on current human rights issues and applicable laws and policies.

 

 

Law & Policy-Reform Advocacy - AHRC participates in various law and policy reform initiatives in the country to ensure that human rights instruments and standards are implemented and complied with through the various programs of government.

 

 

Other programs

 

1. Working Group for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism AHRC, through the Office of the Executive Director, functions as the Secretariat of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism (or Working Group, an informal coalition of individuals and groups within the region who are working with government institutions and NGOs in the field of human rights to advocate for the establishment of an intergovernmental human rights mechanism in Southeast Asia.).

2. Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) The CASA/GAL program is a response to the identified need to provide support for children in court proceedings. Too often their basic human rights are compromised by the court system and the players in the case that they become traumatized and justice is not served. The presence of a CASA/GAL Volunteer assures the child's best interests are represented in court at every stage of the case. This is a role that the lawyers and court social workers are unable to fulfill.

3. Curriculum Development As a unit of the Ateneo Law School, AHRC actively participates in the integration of human rights laws into traditional law subjects in the school. In fact, most of its lawyers are part-time law faculty members. 4. Values Formation AHRC engages in values formation primarily through the Internship Program, which is focused on the growth of the law student as a person and as a human rights advocate. The program aims to instill values in students under the motto, "Learn the law, serve the people."

 

 

Publications

 

• Conference Proceedings on Structural Adjustment Program: Its Impact on Human Rights and Democracy (1994)

• In the Custody of the Law (1994)

• OCWs in Crisis: Protecting Filipino Migrant Workers (1995)

• Human Rights Treatise on Ancestral Domains (1996)

• Human Rights Treatise on Constitutional Law (1997)

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Philippine Legal System (1997)

• Maid from the Philippines (1998)

• Legal Protection for Asian Migrant Workers (1998)

• Human Rights Treatise on Children (1999)

• Filipino Migrant Workers in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei: What they need to know... (and What they have to tell) (1999)

• Philippine-Belgian Pilot Project Against Trafficking in Women (1999)

 

 

 

Address

Ateneo Human Rights Center

Ateneo Professional Schools Building

Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center

1200 Makati City, PHILIPPINES

ph (632) 899-7691 locals 2109/2115

fax (632)8994342

email: ahrc[a]aps.ateneo.edu

www.ahrc.org.ph/

 

 

 

 

Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD)


Year Established: 1998

Short Historical Background


The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances is a federation of human rights organizations and human rights advocates working directly on the issue of involuntary disappearances in Asia. The federation was established on June 4, 1998 based on the common phenomena of enforced or involuntary disappearances in many Asian countries and the imperative of regional and international solidarity in order to strongly respond to the problem. The perpetrators, being agents of states, are so powerful that a strong response is needed to effect a huge impact. Since it is a violation of a number of basic human rights, civil and political as well as economic
and social, the AFAD considers enforced disappearance as the cruelest form of human rights violation. The establishment and growth of a federation, whose own strength is drawn from the intrinsic strength of its member-organizations and their constituencies who are the families of the disappeared, is imperative in order to respond to the latter’s needs. It intends to facilitate their empowerment which is necessary for the realization of a world without desaparecidos.
AFAD is the focal point of the International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED).
AFAD envisions a world free from enforced disappearances and injustices. It sets its mission in the following manner:
An Asian federation of human rights organizations committed to work directly on the redress for and eradication of enforced disappearances.
An Asian federation of human rights organizations advocating truth, justice, reparations, reconstruction of the historical memory of the disappeared and empowerment for the victims towards eradication of enforced disappearances.

Objectives


AFAD has the following general objectives:
1. To promote and forge international solidarity among organizations of the families of the disappeared in Asia and with similar formations in other continents;
2. To provide assistance to member-organizations in ensuring a stronger response to the phenomena of enforced disappearances;
3. To conduct campaign and lobby work in addressing the issue of enforced disappearances in Asia, thus ensuring the attainment of truth, justice, redress and the reconstruction of the collective
memory of the disappeared;
4. To strengthen the capacity of the federation and its member organizations through various forms of empowerment and capacity- building activities.

Programs and Activities
• Campaign, Lobbying – AFAD campaigns for truth, justice, redress and the reconstruction of the historical memory of the disappeared.
It campaigns for national, regional and international mechanisms penalizing enforced disappearances through different forms of information-dissemination drive such as the conduct of
seminars, public forums, publication of campaign materials and the use of the social media.
• One of its core activities is the campaigning and lobbying for the signing and ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the
recognition of the competence of the International Committee on Enforced Disappearances and the enactment of domestic laws criminalizing enforced disappearances.
• Research and Documentation – To strengthen the foundation of its work, AFAD documents cases of enforced disappearances; establishes a regional database of cases of enforced disappearances
and writes general situations of enforced disappearances in Asian countries where its member-organizations are based. Results of the documentation serve as bases for filing of cases in courts and submission of such cases to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation – In recognition of the psychological and emotional trauma of the families of the disappeared brought about by the disappearance of their loved ones, AFAD complements the efforts of its member-organizations in the conduct of psychosocial rehabilitation work. It has conducted varying levels of psychosocial rehabilitation work dubbed as “ Healing Wounds, Mending Scars,” “From Victims to Healers” and “Cycle of Healing.” It is part of AFAD’s efforts to empower the families of the victims in an effort to facilitate their transformation from victims to human rights defenders.
• International Work – In recognition of the global phenomenon of enforced disappearances, AFAD links with associations of families of the disappeared in other countries and similar formations in
other continents. As the focal point of the International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED), AFAD coordinates with fifty organizations in at least fifty countries to strengthen the
campaign for the signing, ratification and implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Publications


Books
• Between Memory and Impunity (2001)
• Healing Wounds, Mending Scars (2005)
• Reclaiming Stolen Lives (2008)
• The Voice - bi-annual publication
• Primer – 1st to 6th Editions of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

Videos
• Healing Wounds, Mending Scars (2005)
• Unsilenced (2010) – with English, Spanish, Italian, French, South Korean and Japanese sub-titles

Address


Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD)
Rms. 310-311, Philippine Social Science Center Bldg.,
Commonwealth Ave., Diliman, 1103 Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
ph/fax (63-2) 4546759
ph (63-2) 4907862
Mobile: 63- 917) 792-4058
e-mail: afad[a]surfshop.net.ph
www.afad-online.org
Facebook: afad.online

 

 

 

Center for Asia-Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP)

 

 

Year Established:1992

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Center for Asia-Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP) is a non-partisan, non-profit and non-governmental regional organization (NGO) dedicated to promoting equal participation of women in politics and decision-making. CAPWIP was established in 1992 by a group of women from the Asia-Pacific region who share a vision of governance that affirms gender equality, integrity and accountability, excellence, sustainable development and peace.

 

It advocates transformative politics which is the use of power to create change towards economic, social and political equity between sexes and among sectors within the context of shaping a society that is just, humane and promotes a sustainable way of life.

 

It operates through a network of national affiliates clustered into five sub-regional groupings: Central Asia, East Asia, Pacific, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Its sub-regional focal points and national affiliates are autonomous organizations actively involved in women's political empowerment in their respective countries. It has committed itself to supporting its network through technical assistance in organizational and program planning, training, research and information sharing. It is currently based in the Philippines.

 

CAPWIP envisions its role as a regional training center for trainers as well as a think-tank that supports the documentation, analysis and dissemination of the experiences of its national and sub-regional affiliates. By providing teams of technical experts who have the appropriate language skills and institutional experience, CAPWIP also assists its affiliates in developing total strategies to promote Women in Politics (WIP). From its inception, CAPWIP focused on the development of networking strategies that would be sustainable in the long run.

 

Objectives

 

CAPWIP aims

 

1) To create a critical mass of competent, committed and effective women politicians in elective and appointed positions in government,

2) To develop a responsible female citizenry, and

3) To influence female politicians and electorate to work together to transform politics and governance for the common good.

 

 

Programs

 

Organizing and Networking

 

  • Promotes the establishment of a broad network of sub-regional and national affiliates of women in politics in the Asia-Pacific region, including support structures such as a regional network of training and research institutes.
  • Collaborates with women leaders, women's organizations and existing political institutes in promoting transformative politics and women's political empowerment.
  • Utilizes various forms of mass media as a means to enhance public awareness of the need for women's equal representation in decision-making and politics.
  • Organizes congresses that serve as a venue for women all over the Asia-Pacific region to share their experiences, discuss issues and articulate priority areas for action.

 

Training

 

  • Develops modules and training programs for women's leadership and responsible citizenship based on the framework of transformative politics.
  • Conducts trainers' training for women's political empowerment and transformative politics.

 

Research and Information Sharing

 

  • Undertakes policy analysis and various types of research on women in politics including needs assessment impact studies, documentation and analysis of best practices in politics.
  • Establishes data banks on women's political participation and resources on women's political empowerment and transformative politics.
  • Manages an interactive web network that encompasses the central office, 5 sub-regional focal points and national focal points.
  • Produces publications on women's political empowerment and transformative politics.

 

 

Activities

 

Advocacy and Networking

 

• Asia-Pacific Congress and Training of Women and men in Media, and Women in Politics, Governance, and Decision-making on Transformative Leadership, with the theme Media and Transformative Leadership. Makati City, the Philippines, November 8-10, 2001

• Asia-Pacific Women Parliamentarians' Conference on Transformative Leadership for Good Governance in the 21st Century, 24-25 March 2000

• Asia-Pacific Congresses of Women in Politics (1994 to 1998- annually, 2006)

 

Training

• Empowering Women for Transformative Leadership and Citizenship

• Women in Politics Seminars

• Asian-Pacific Leadership Training Institute

 

Research and Information Sharing

• Issues in Women's Political Empowerment in the Asia-Pacific Region

• South East Asian Country Situationers on Women in Politics

• Learning in Politics: Case Study of Women in Pursuit of Political Office in the May 1998 Philippine Elections

• Platform for Action to Promote Women's Equal Access to Power in the Asia-Pacific Region

• Platform for Action to Promote Responsible Women Citizenship in Transforming Politics

 

Sub-Regional Activities

 

• Advocacy and Networking

• Training

• Research and Information Sharing

 

 

Publications

 

  • 2000 - Women's Political Empowerment: A Resource Book on Practices.
  • 1998 - Transforming Politics, Women's Experiences from the Asia-Pacific Region

 

Other Information

 

CAPWIP maintains the onlinewomeninpolitics.org that

 

• is a digital working space for Asian and Pacific women leaders to share and exchange knowledge and information eventually creating a virtual community of women as well as men from the region who believe in getting involved in shaping up their own future;

• provides data, information and other resources about women in the region involved in politics, governance and decision-making; and

• provides people who believe in transformative leadership the space and organization to connect with one another and share with each other their successes, experiences, beliefs, frustrations, celebrations, calls for action, information, resources, data, issues, solutions, and problems.

 

 

Address

 

Center for Asia-Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP)

4227-4229 Tomas Claudio Street

Baclaran, Paranaque City 1700

PHILIPPINES

ph (632) 851-6934

ph/fax (632) 852-2112

email: capwip[a]capwip.org; capwip[a]gmail.com

www.capwip.org

 

 

 

 

Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR)

 

 

Year Established:1984

 

Short Historical Background

 

In the spirit of solidarity to fight state repression and to restore workers' inherent right to life and dignity, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) was conceived by a group of religious people, labor rights advocates and trade unionists in 1984.

 

Its purpose is to confront state and capitalist's human rights violations not with an equally evil force but with an awareness that strength and emancipation lies in the hands of the workers themselves and in solidarity with the poor and the oppressed.

 

It is committed to the cause of advancing genuine, democratic, nationalist and militant trade unionism. It is against all forms of deception and coercion that seeks to derail this cause. CTUHR believes that repression can and has taken on different and subtle forms like labor legislations, and flexible employment schemes, among others, and therefore devotes herself to exposing these devious moves.

 

 

Objectives

 

CTUHR aims

1. To oppose and expose the repression of workers in particular and the trade union movement in general

2. To advocate against a system that violates human rights and perpetuates repression and oppression of workers

3. To establish programs to promote and to strengthen the basic workers' organizations and genuine trade unionism

4. To offer social and educational services, and paralegal assistance to workers and the victims of trade union repression and provide moral support to the dependents and relatives of disadvantaged workers

5. To build up a network with labor organizations at the local, regional and national levels in aid of forming Human Rights Committees, train and develop Human Rights Correspondents and Paralegal volunteers, and help strengthen the National Coalition for the Protection of Workers Rights (NCPWR) which it helped established in 2000

6. To establish network at the international level in pursuit of broader promotion and protection of workers' trade union and human rights.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

1. Research- conducts in-depth investigation and research on specific issues, economic policies and practices that directly affect workers and the exercise of their basic rights.

2. Women Empowerment - conducts education, campaigns and advocacy on rights of women workers in industrial belts and Free Trade Zones (FTZs) toward raising their awareness, increasing their community and social participation and assisting them to organize themselves into mutual help associations or in trade unions.

3. Public information – CTUHR informs the public on the plight of the workers, and exposes the injustices that they suffer. It conducts media work to air the side and grievances of workers to the public.

4. Education and training - CTUHR focuses on equipping workers, semi-workers and others in the labor sector with basic knowledge on their legal and trade union rights in order to protect themselves from exploitative and repressive social and economic institutions.

5. Network, Campaigns and advocacy – CTUHR builds a network with labor organizations at the local, regional, and national in aid of forming Human Rights Committees and helps organize and strengthen the National Coalition for the Protection of Workers Rights, an alliance of artists, religious, academics and other people concerned with upholding the rights of workers. At the international level, CTUHR builds linkages in pursuit of broader promotion and protection of workers' trade union and human rights.

 

Special Concerns

Women Helping Women Network - a network of families of slain labour activists that CTUHR organized to empower them to seek justice for their loved ones while coping from the trauma of loosing their loved ones.

 

Publications

 

CTUHR Monitor - a quarterly magazine (English and Pilipino Edition)

 

Available as downloads at the CTUHR website:

  • Victims of Trade Union Killings and Massacre (January 2001-March 2008
  • Nakaliligalig na Kapayapaang Industriyal (Ulat sa Lagay ng Karapatang Pang-Manggagawa at Pantao)
  • Treacherous and Disquieting Industrial Peace (Trade Union and Human Rights Report 2007)
  • Trade Unions Under Siege: Workers' Rights Report 2006
  • Labor Flexibilization: Dagger in the Hearts of Filipino Workers
  • The Year of Living Dangerously: Workers' Rights Review 2005
  • Battered Bodies and Crushed Rights: State of Filipino Workers Trade Union and Human Rights under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's five-year administration
  • Tighter Belts and Bloodied Year: Workers' Rights Review in 2004

 

 

Other Information

 

Among the other services offered by CTUHR is the organization and facilitation of immersion programs for local and international individuals and organizations. This is for individuals or organizations who are interested in knowing and understanding the plight of the workers, as well as gain a deeper insight on the struggle of workers in the country.

 

The Center also conducts paralegal services, coordinates and dispatches a quick-response team (QRTs) to immediately aid workers who need legal assistance.

 

 

Address

 

Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR)

Rm. 702 Culmat Building

127 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue

Brgy. Mariana, Quezon City, Metro Manila

PHILIPPINES

ph/fax: (632) 411-0256,

e-mail: ctuhr.manila[a]gmail.com

www.ctuhr.org

 

 

 

 

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women - Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)

 

Year Established: 1993

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women - Asia Pacific (CATW-AP) is part of CATW International, an international network of feminist groups, organizations and individuals fighting the sexual exploitation of women globally.

 

In April 1993, the "Conference on Women Empowering Women: A Human Rights Conference on Trafficking in Asian Women" held in Manila, Philippines gave birth to the CATW - Asia Pacific.

 

On 26-29 June 1998, CATW-AP convened a regional meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with the theme: Organizing Against Sexual Exploitation" and attended by one hundred four participants from all over Asia, coming from the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) directly working on trafficking, as well as international organizations and governments.

 

An international conference on "Organizing and Strategizing Against Sexual Exploitation" was held in January 1999 also in Dhaka. This was attended by two hundred fifty participants from Asia, North America, Latin America, Europe and Africa. It reaffirmed the common perspectives on sexual exploitation, especially of women and children.

 

Over the years, CATW-AP in partnership with its networks, initiated programs to promote women's human rights and assist victims of trafficking, prostitution, and other forms of sexual violence against women in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Recently, CATW-AP successfully lobbied for a definition of trafficking that ensures the protection of victims and encourages states to address the demand side of trafficking, in the Optional Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, supplementing the United Nations (UN) Convention Against Trans-national Organized Crime.

 

In August 2006, CATW-AP organized a Third Regional Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where CATW-AP's strategic directions for the next three years were set, a new board of directors elected and new Executive Director appointed.

 

 

Objectives

 

CATW-AP aims

1) To promote awareness on women's human rights and initiate action against global sexual exploitation and violence against women, particularly prostitution and trafficking

2) To lobby against sexual exploitation in all its forms in appropriate UN bodies and other international fora, as well as in regional levels

3) To promote research on the causes, patterns and impact of prostitution and trafficking women

4) To help promote international solidarity and cooperation to combat sexual exploitation

5) To support survivors of trafficking, prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

Policy Advocacy:

1. At the UN level, advocacy for the development of national, regional and international instruments addressing the issues of prostitution, trafficking and all forms of sexual exploitation

2. Campaign for the ratification of the UN Optional Protocol on Trafficking of Persons Especially Women and Children, the Optional Protocol of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the UN Convention for the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families

3. Active participation in critical UN International Conferences such as the Beijing Conference on Women, ICPD, Vienna Conference on Human Rights, and the World Conference Against Racism

4. Campaign in support of victim and survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation

5. Support for the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal towards a just resolution for the victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery

6. Dialogue at the national level with the frontline government agencies concerned with trafficking toward preventive and curative measures against trafficking and prostitution

7. Campaigns on the issue of military prostitution in the Asia Pacific region, bride trade, sex tourism and other discriminatory and oppressive practices against women worldwide

8. Advocacy for pro-women legislation and policies on prostitution, trafficking and all forms of Violence Against Women.

 

Education, Training and Organizational Development:

1. Preventive Education Program on Women, Migration and Trafficking in high-risk communities, as well as among NGOs and concerned government agencies

2. Initiation of Community-Based Trafficker-Watch (Bantay-Bugaw) projects where local police, prosecutors and judges, village official and local leaders are oriented to prevent trafficking using local laws

3. Conduct of Young Men's Camps to educate young men on gender issues and sexual exploitation, and to redefine masculinity towards reducing the demand side of trafficking and prostitution

4. Conduct of Young Women's Camps to prevent the vulnerability of young women to sexual exploitation and to redefine womanhood

5. Training on gender sensitivity, advocacy and human rights documentation using the HURIDOCS-WinEVsys-VAW software at local and regional levels among young feminist, victims/survivors, members and partner organizations

6. Development of modules and popular education materials on trafficking, prostitution and violence against women

7. Development of core groups and chapters of CATW in the region

8. North-south and south-south exchanges and study tours of partner NGOs, legislators and academicians, policy-makers, media personnel and survivors towards enhancing a deeper understanding of the impact of globalization and the expansion of prostitution, trafficking and sexual exploitation.

 

Research, documentation & publications:

1. Development, promotion and application of gender-sensitive documentation system on violence against women based on the Human Rights Documentation System (HURIDOCS)

2. Country-specific studies and analysis of patterns and trends of trafficking and prostitution, their health impacts on women, and studies on the demand side of prostitution, pornography and mail order bride industries

3. Research and publication of model practices and strategies against trafficking, prostitution and pornography conducted by member organizations of the Coalition

4. Publication of map and monography on trafficking, occasional papers and information packs, and maintenance of a website

5. Hosting of radio programs, such as "Aksyon Kababaihan" (Women's Action) over DZRH in the Philippines, addressing issues of sexual exploitation and other women's concerns.

 

Empowerment of Survivors*

1. Crisis intervention in trafficking, prostitution and other sexual exploitation cases

2. Development of counseling module for survivors

3. Referral of cases of member and partner organizations for legal, psycho-social and other support services

4. Support to healing, livelihood, organizing and mass movement work of survivor groups

5. Maintenance of a shelter for survivors of trafficking and prostitution.

 

 

Video and Publications

 

  • Shifting the Blame: A Primer on the Philippine Anti-Prostitution Bill (2007)
  • Let's Get to Know R.A. 9208: The Anti-Trafficking Law (2007)
  • Women in the International Migration Process (2002)
  • "First Time: a digital PSA" (1998)
  • Trafficking in Women and Prostitution in the Asia Pacific (1996)
  • Proceedings of the Human Rights Documentation Training for Asian Women's NGO's Concerned with Violence Against Women (1996)

 

 

Address

 

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women - Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)

Room 308 Sterten Place, 116 Maginhawa St.

Teacher's Village, Quezon City, Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES

ph (63 2) 4269873 or 4342149

e-mail: catwap[a]skyinet.net, catw-ap[a]catw-ap.org

www.catw-ap.org

 

 

 

 

 

DINTEG

 

Year Established:1994

 

Short Historical Background

 

DINTEG is a legal center advocating and working for the defense of Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) rights, human rights and fundamental freedoms. It was established on 10 December 1994 at the ebb of the Oplan Lambat Bitag 2 under Corazon Aquino’s Administration that resulted in countless human rights violations.

 

On 10 December 1999, DINTEG facilitated the launching of the Cordillera Human Rights Organization (CHRO). Since then, CHRO spearheads capacity building and campaigns while DINTEG focuses on developmental legal aid.

 

DINTEG locates its niche in its advocacy work on indigenous socio-political systems as an integral part of the movement for the respect for the right to self-determination. DINTEG envisions a society where Indigenous Peoples enjoy the right to self-determination, and where human rights and fundamental freedoms are enjoyed fully and equally by every member of society.

 

DINTEG is an indigenous term for law and justice. It refers to what is just and righteous for each member of the community, and for the society in general.

 

It is duly registered as a non-stock and non-profit institution with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines.

 

 

Objectives

 

DINTEG aims

1) To contribute to the Indigenous Peoples’ movement for the promotion, assertion and defense of their rights and fundamental freedoms.

2) To contribute in strengthening the capacity of people’s organizations and members of the community in exercising their rights.

3) To promote and facilitate developmental legal aid among paralegals, lawyers and the various sectors of society.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

Capacity Building - focuses on holding education and trainings for the

• Promotion of Indigenous Peoples’ and human rights

• Monitoring of human rights abuses

• Formation of quick reaction teams

• Establishment of human rights networks and advocates from all sectors of society, and

• Enhancement of the role of elders in the promotion and assertion of the indigenous justice system.

 

Legal Services - works for the maintenance of a legal defense fund to sustain its counseling and litigation services extended to victims of violations of human and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

 

Campaigns - conducts various campaigns on human rights. It spearheads activities of international and national significance for the defense, recognition and promotion of basic human rights. It continues to push for genuine peace negotiations between the Philippine Government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

 

Networking and Advocacy – focuses on organizing and training lawyers, law students and paralegals in support of its legal and other services. In order to provide better service to attain its vision, DINTEG works closely with religious people and church institutions, health professionals; coordinates with local government units, military and police forces; and cooperates with international and national bodies involved with human rights concerns.

 

Research and Lobbying - undertakes research on the indigenous justice system and conflict management. It monitors the implementation of national laws and policies related to human rights and Indigenous Peoples including lobbying and influencing law and policy formulations.

 

Activities

 

 

Special Concerns

 

 

Publications

 

 

 

Other Information

 

 

Address

 

DINTEG - Cordillera Indigenous Peoples’ Legal Center

#10 Rimando Rd.,

Baguio City 2600 PHILIPPINES

ph/fax: (63 74) 445-2586, 300-3489

e-mail: dinteg1[a]yahoo.com, char[a]cpaphils.org

 

 

 

 

 

Institute of Human Rights (IHR)

- University of the Philippines

 

Year Established: 1989

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Institute of Human Rights (IHR) concerns itself with the protection and promotion of human rights, including the political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights of all, especially those of the indigenous peoples, the urban poor, the working class and the peasantry.

 

The Institute is part of the University of the Philippines Law Complex, an integrated system of national legal institutions within the University whose concerns extend not only to the teaching of law but also to the provision of services responsive to current social challenges and relevant to the changing legal and law-related needs of Filipinos. Fulfilling the mandate of the Law Complex along with the IHR are the Institute of Government and Law Reform, Institute of Judicial Administration, and the Institute of International Legal Studies.

 

The Institute is a member of the Southeast Asian Human Rights Network (SEAHRN) of which it is Convenor from January 2012 to December 2013, ASEAN University Network (AUN), and Asian Consortium on Human Rights-Based Access to Justice (HRBA2J).

 

Vision

"An enabling environment in which individuals and communities enjoy and realize human rights to the fullest extent."

 

Mission

"We are an academic legal resource institute committed to the full promotion and protection of human rights by providing relevant and responsive research, publication, training and other services of the highest standards. Through our programs, we contribute to the development of law and policy in light of the imperative of human dignity and integrity."

 

 

Objectives

 

The Institute dedicates itself to the fulfillment of the following objectives:

 

1. To stimulate research and publication in specialized fields of human rights, among them the following:

     a. Philippine human rights policy

     b. Philippine compliance with human rights standards

     c. Philosophy of human rights and emerging perspectives

     d. Human rights and migrant workers

     e. Human rights and indigenous peoples

     f. Human rights and development

     g. Human rights and environment

     h. Human rights and Philippine foreign policy

     i. Protections of victims of armed conflict

     j. International human rights protection

     k. Civil and political rights

     l. Economic, social and cultural rights

2. To play a key role in the development of a comprehensive human rights policy in the Philippines that will address the exigencies of human rights protection and promotion;

3. To expand the U.P. Law Complex's database on human rights through its computerization and acquisition of various materials on human rights;

4. To play a significant role in the development, promotion and protection of human rights in the Southeast Asian region;

5. To take an active part in international networking for the promotion of human rights; and

6. To institutionalize student participation in the programs of the Institute, as a means of enhancing their skills and instilling in them the value of promoting the public interest.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

Research

Researches on selected human rights issues are undertaken by the Institute. The breadth of research interests being tackled encompasses the entire spectrum of civil and political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as emerging human rights discourses in non-traditional areas like indigenous cultural communities, political litigation, climate change, and transitional justice. The Institute has maintained its stature as the pioneer human rights research institution in the country and has been successful in providing a neutral and productive venue for dialogues between the government and civil society. The Institute also remains true to its mission of helping shape Human Rights Policy in the country by providing key policy-makers and stakeholders with scholarly studies and research outputs aimed at enabling them to craft legislations and other issuances that promote and protect human rights. The Institute provides the academic impetus and justification for the adoption of key human rights reform measures at all levels of governance; it undertakes rigorous and scientific research and formulates its findings into concrete policy proposals to ensure that decision-makers forward human rights measures that are well-informed and grounded on sound theoretical foundations.

 

The following are some of the recent research projects of the Institute:

     • Navigating the Uncharted: Providing Public Education Initiatives to Various Government Agencies on Reproductive Rights as a      Human Right

     • Growth of the Mining Industry and Its Repercussions on Human Rights

     • Lex Pacificatoria: A Legal Framework for Building a Real and Lasting Peace in the Philippines

     •  The People's Right to Information: Maintaining Openness, Promoting Accountability to Government

     • Survey and Situational Analysis of the Philippine Legal Framework and State Policies on Political Crimes and the      Accommodation of Political Prisoners in the Philippines

     • Revisiting the Philippine Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Lessons from Experience and Policy Recommendations Towards a Rights-Based Approach to Agrarian Reform

     • Gender and Justice Action Research Program

     •  Disability Equality Project: Access to Justice of Persons with Disabilities

     •  Confidential Inquiry Procedure of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or      Punishment

 

Publications    

Research and studies on various human rights issues undertaken by the Institute, as well as the proceedings of symposia and fora are published.

 

Training

Specialized training courses on human rights are sponsored by the Institute in cooperation with other human rights organizations.

 

Extension Services

The Institute renders opinions to government agencies regarding policy and legal questions on human rights. In addition, the Institute organizes seminars, symposia, workshops, and other fora on human rights issues 

 

 

Special Concerns

 

Publications

 

a. Human Rights Agenda (HRA): 

     • Vol. 2 Issues 1-11 (January-December, 1997)

     • Vol. 3  Issues 1-12 (January-December, 1998)

     • Vol. 4 Issues 1-12 (January-December, 1999)

     • Vol. 5 Issues 1-9 (January-December, 2000)

     • Vol. 6 Issues 1-6 (January-December, 2001)

     • Vol. 7 Issues 1-9 (January-December, 2002)

     • Vol. 8 Issues 1-6 (January-December, 2003)

     • Vol. 9 Issues 1-6 (January-December, 2004)

     • Vol. 10 Issues 1-6 (January-December, 2005)

     • Vol. 11 Issues 1-6 (January-December, 2006)

     • Vol. 12 Issues 1-6 (January-December, 2007)

     • Vol. 13 Issue No. 1 (January-February, 2008) 

b. Philippine Peace and Human Rights Review (1997-2003)

c. Philippine Law and Jurisprudence on Human Rights (1999)

d. Manual on International Human Rights Treaties and Mechanisms (2005)

e. Primer on Legal Issues in Reproductive Health (2011)

 

Proceedings of Seminars/Fora/Symposia:

     •  Proceedings of Symposia on the Rights of the Accused, Vol. II (1996)

     •  Proceedings of Symposia on the Rights of the Accused, Vol. III (1996)

     • The Philippine Human Rights Plan: A Public Forum (1996)

     • The Rights of the Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Focus on the Philippines (Proceedings of a Forum on Refugees Issues and      Concerns) (1996)

     • The Continuing Revolution: Human Rights and the Philippine Constitution, An Assessment of the Current State of Human      Rights in the Light of the 1987 Constitution (1996)

     • Human Rights of Women, With Emphasis on Protection under International Conventions and Philippine Laws: A Public Forum      (1997)

     • Philosophy of Human Rights and Emerging Perspectives, Western versus Eastern Concept of Human Rights: The ASEAN Scenario: A Public Forum (1997)

     • Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples: A Public Forum (1998)

     • Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2001)

     • Towards a Gender Responsive Legislation: Focus on the Reproductive Health Care Act (2003)

     •  Farmers' Rights as Human Rights, Human Rights as Farmers' Rights (2004)

     • Symposium on the Right to Life Focusing on the Death Penalty (2004)

     •  Batayang Pagsasanay sa Karapatang Pantao at mga Batas Kaugnay ng mga Maralitang Tagalungsod (Koleksyon ng mga      Modyul) (2004)

     •  Beyond Qualified Reclusion Perpetua: Restorative Justice and Alternative to the Death Penalty (2004)

 

 

Other Information

 

 

Address

 

Institute of Human Rights

U.P. Law Center

1/F, Bocobo Hall, University of the Philippines

Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 PHILIPPINES

ph (632) 925-5854, 920-5514 local 204, 205

fax (632) 925-5854

e-mail: ihr.claw[a]up.edu.ph; ihr_law.upd[a]up.edu.ph; ihr.claw[a]gmail.com

https://law.upd.edu.ph/institute-of-human-rights/

 

 

 

 

 

Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights)

 

 

Year Established: 1995

 

 

Short Historical Background

 

Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights) was born out of the struggles in the various human rights organizations and basic mass organizations since 1992. Karapatan has distinguished itself as the genuine alliance for the advocacy of the full range of human rights (civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights) along the national democratic line.

 

It firmly rejects the idea of 'neutrality" in the human rights movement, and wholeheartedly declares its bias for the interests of the broad masses of the people.

 

It was formally established during its First National Congress on August 17-19,1995. At present, Karapatan relies on the strength of its component organizations numbering forty, which are spearheaded by the five national human rights organizations: Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, KAPATID-Karapatan, SELDA, DESAPARECIDOS and Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace.

 

It acts as the center of the militant human rights movement and provides the proper direction to the various organizations within it. Karapatan launches mass campaigns as well as participates in the national and sectoral campaigns headed by the broad popular alliance, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and other militant groups like the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, League of Filipino Students, GABRIELA and others.

 

 

Objectives

 

KARAPATAN aims

1. To support the peasant struggle for land and genuine agrarian reform

2. To uphold the workers' aspiration for nationalist industrialization and genuine trade unionism

3. To support the women's struggle for gender equality and total liberation

4. To uphold the right to self-determination of the peoples of the Bangsa Moro, the Cordilleras and other indigenous peoples

5. To support the urban poor's demands for land and basic social services

6. To uphold the rights of children and the youth for social and cultural well-being and for a free, scientific and mass- based education

7. To demand observation and protection of the rights of Filipino migrant workers abroad

8. To uphold the right of the people to a clean, safe and ecologically sound environment

9. To uphold the right of the people to fight against a tyrannical, unjust and repressive system.

 

 

Programs

 

Education and Training - aims to raise the people’s awareness on their rights; help develop their capacity to fight for and defend their rights; and enjoin them to participate in human rights campaign and advocacy activities. The program involves the development and propagation of education modules and seminars.

 

Campaign and Advocacy - aims to develop a strong public opinion and support for human rights issues and concerns. It involves campaign and information dissemination activities. It also includes lobbying efforts for the defense and promotion of human rights.

 

Services - aims to mobilize resources for the welfare needs and legal requirements of political prisoners, torture victims, relatives of the disappeared and victims of killings, displaced families, and communities, and others. The formation of Quick Reaction Teams, which respond immediately to cases of human rights violations such as arrests, abductions, displacements, demolitions, picketline violence and others, is an integral part of the program.

 

Documentation and Research - aims to gather information on particular cases of human rights violations and on the general state of the human rights situation in the whole country. It sends urgent action alerts and comes out with regular analysis of the human rights situation prevailing in the country. The program will also publish KARAPATAN’s analysis on various human rights issues and concerns..

 

Network Building and Alliance Work - aims to motivate organizations, groups, and individuals to get involved in cases of human rights violations and in the activities and programs of KARAPATAN. It also establishes partnerships with genuine multisectoral alliances such as the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, people’s organizations such as Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, GABRIELA, League of Filipino Students, Health Alliance for Democracy, church groups such as the Promotion of Church People’s Response, and NGOs such as the Center for Women’s Resources, and the Citizen’s Disaster and Rehabilitation Center.

 

 

Publications

 

• For Human Rights

• KARAPATAN Monitor - quarterly update of facts and figures covering human rights violations

• Report ng Special Rapporteur sa mga pagpaslang na extrahudisyal, biglaan o walang dahilan, Philip Alston - Misyon sa Pilipinas

• The 2007 Year-End Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines

• Karapatan 2005 Human Rights Report

 

 

Other Information

 

 

Address

 

KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights)

- National Office

2F, Erynthrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin St. corner Matatag St.,

Central District, Quezon City 1100 PHILIPPINES

ph/fax (632) 435-4146, 434-2837

e-mail: docu_krptn[a]yahoo.com, karapatan[a]edsamail.com.ph

www.karapatan.org

 

 

 

 

The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KSK)

 

Year Established: 1987

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan (LRC-KsK) was founded on 7 December 1987 by activist lawyers who wanted to use the law to rectify injustices and empower marginalized sectors, specifically indigenous peoples and upland rural poor communities. The prevailing injustice and repression during President Ferdinand Marcos' Martial Law regime and even under successive governments in its aftermath reflect the lamentable fact that the legal system has not been serving its proper purpose as an instrument by the people to seek redress.

 

LRC-KsK envisions a society where the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities are respected, recognized and upheld. It aspires to have a society for all women and men where the ownership, use, management, conservation of natural resources are carried out in a democratic, ecologically sustainable, culturally appropriate, economically viable, gender just and equitable manner.

 

It is a policy and legal research and advocacy institution. It is organized as a non-stock, non-profit, non-partisan, cultural, and scientific and research foundation duly registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission. The organization is also the official Philippine affiliate of Friends of the Earth International.

 

 

Objective

 

LRC-KsK's overall mission is to work for the empowerment of marginalized peoples directly dependent on natural resources through a dynamic, cohesive and independent organization of dedicated, committed and fulfilled women and men working with communities of direct users of natural resources.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

Policy Research - LRC-KsK develops policy recommendations, legal researches and critiques that are relevant to the needs of communities. In developing policy options, LRC-KsK suggests culturally appropriate, ecologically sound, gender-just and sustainable legal policy options derived from the experiences of the affected sectors together with relevant scientific researches. It engages legislative and executive forums and other venues to assert and advocate the communities' issues and concerns.

 

Legal Service - LRC-KsK provides relevant and quality legal assistance to marginalized indigenous peoples and rural communities. It assists partner communities, people's organizations, non-governmental organizations, federations and alliances in analyzing laws and providing information and legal options on specific areas within its mandate. Policy briefings and paralegal trainings are held to strengthen the communities' understanding of laws and policies affecting indigenous peoples and natural resources. Cases are filed in courts whenever deemed fit by the communities in the context of their own campaigns and struggles.

 

Campaign and Networking - LRC-KsK links up with various organizations in the local, national and international communities and support groups on issues crucial to its advocacies. It offers support to community initiatives and local actions by carrying out campaigns and projecting their issues at the regional, national and international levels. Its active engagement of the media aims to bring communities' issues and concerns to the fore.

 

 

Special Concerns

 

LRC-KSK has developed expertise on the issues of indigenous peoples' rights, resource tenure, natural resource management, forestry, mining, energy, and local community actions.

 

Publications

 

  • Philippine Natural Resources Law (Philnajur) - a regular publication of LRC-KsK which aims to deepen the consciousness of community organizations and public and private institutions on the equitable allocation and use of natural resources. The journal features legal notes by respected alternative lawyers and paralegals who work closely with communities in analyzing major policy issues.
  • The Tan-Awan - a regular LRC-KsK magazine that tackles various up-to-date issues concerning its main advocacies. Each issue uses a multi-lingual approach in presenting fast facts of featured communities, community updates, media statements, and analysis of socio-political contexts in which indigenous peoples and rural upland communities live.
  • Issue Papers: present analysis of policies and recommendations for policy change.

 

LRC-KsK has also published books and materials on trade, indigenous peoples, natural resources, special laws, etc.

 

 

Address

 

Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Friends of the Earth (Philippines)

Unit 329, Eagle Court Condominium

No. 26 Matalino Street,

Central East District, Diliman, Quezon City

PHILIPPINES 1101

ph (632) 9281372, 4361101

fax (632) 920 7172

e-mail: lrcksk[a]lrcksk.org

www.lrcksk.org

 

 

 

 

Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC)


Year Established: 2009


Short Historical Background


The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC) is a nonstock, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) established in December 2009 in the Philippines. It is an active member of
the Civilian Protection Component of the International Monitoring Team of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) Peace Process. It is a partner
NGO of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights. It is also an active member of the Mindanao Protection Cluster, the informal coordinating mechanism for various humanitarian agencies and
organizations operating in Mindanao that includes United Nations agencies, international and local NGOs.


Objectives


MinHRAC aims
1. To document, expose and oppose human rights violations
2. To promote critical human rights awareness among the people through education, training, information, research and documentation
3. To promote cooperation, coordination, collaboration among local, regional and international human rights workers and entities
4. To provide legal services to victims of human rights violations.
Vision:
MinHRAC envisions a just and humane society where people of diverse cultures freely exercise and enjoy the full realization of their human rights.
Goals:
• To build and raise awareness on human rights and capacitate the right-holders with necessary knowledge and skills to articulate and assert the full realization of their human rights
• To assist the victims to redress their grievance and seek justice for the violation of their human rights
• To advocate campaigns to advance the people’s individual and collective rights, both at the national and international levels, and
• To work for the fulfillment of state obligations under national and international legal instruments on human rights.


Programs and Activities


MinHRAC provides the following services:
• Monitoring and Humanitarian Action Referral
• Civilian protection monitoring
• Human rights monitoring
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL) monitoring
• Legal Aid Program
• Legal Counseling and Assistance
• Deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRT)
• Fact-finding missions
• Case development and litigation assistance
• Organization of community-based paralegals
• Community and institution-based advocacy of IHL and Human Rights
• Research and Special Projects.


Other Information


MinHRAC was established by twelve local NGOs to pool, rationalize, and standardize all their human rights initiatives. MinHRAC, as well as its convenor NGOs, serve the conflict-affected communities
in Mindanao, particularly Moro communities which have the least access to these services. Their officers and staff come from these communities.
• Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS)
• Bangsamoro Lawyers’s Network (BLN)
• Bangsamoro Center for Law & Policy (MoroLaw)
• Kadtuntaya Foundation, Inc. (KFI)
• Bangsamoro Women Solidarity Forum, Inc. (BWSF, Inc)
• Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS)
• Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace (BCJP)
• Indigenous People’s Resource Center (IPRC)
• United Youth of the Philippines - Women (UnYPhil-Women)
• United Youth for Peace and Development (UnYPaD)
• Al Ihsan Foundation
• Kangudan Development Center, Inc (KDCI).


Address


Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC)
Headquarters
#66 Luna Street,
Rosary Heights 4, Cotabato City
Philippines 9600
ph/fax (63-64) 390-2751
e-mail: mail[a]minhrac.org
http://minhrac.ph
http://blog.minhrac.org
http://facebook.com/MinHRAC.Official
Mindanao Human Rights Action Center
Zamboanga City Satellite Office
Door B, Chiong Building,
Saavedra Street, Sta. Maria
Zamboanga City 7000
ph (63-62) 955-1118

 

 

 

 

Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights)

 

Year Established: 1991

 

Short Historical Background

 

PhilRights is the research and information center of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), one of the biggest human rights coalitions in the country. Established in 1991, PhilRights seeks to meet and service the research and information needs of PAHRA member organizations and the general public.

 

Objectives

 

PhilRights aims

 

1) To deepen awareness, knowledge and understanding of PAHRA member organizations and the general public about human rights conditions, issues and mechanisms

2) To work for a dynamic human rights movement that is able to mobilize sectors and groups for timely and effective intervention in the promotion and defense of human rights by making available human rights information and tools in information handling and dissemination

3) To help ensure state compliance with its human rights obligations through active monitoring and engagement

4) To strengthen cooperation and partnership with local and international networks in the conduct of human rights activities through lively exchange and sharing of information

5) To enhance the capability of human rights organizations in the promotion and defense of human rights through education and training on research, advocacy and information handling and dissemination.

 

 

Programs

 

1) Human Rights Research Program – this program intends to develop an institutional research agenda responsive to the needs/concerns of the human rights community/movement; respond to the research needs/concerns of PAHRA and its member organizations; conduct in-depth studies on burning human rights issues. The studies included in the institution's research program are aimed at expanding and deepening understanding of human rights, mainstreaming of the rights-based approach to development, and promoting a human rights culture. The program includes a database, produces situationers and occasional papers and engages in major research projects.

2) Human Rights Education and Training Program – this program is directed at raising understanding on human rights concepts, principles and approaches; expanding people's understanding and appreciation of various human rights issues/concerns; sharpening the analysis on human rights issues/problems, of PAHRA member-organizations, grassroots' communities, schools and basic sectors. It includes module development, trainings, Basic Human Rights Orientation, Monitoring and Documentation training, Human Rights and Peace Integration in Education, CRC and CRP training, and Internship.

3) Human Rights Information Program – this program focuses on the popularization and dissemination of human rights and its approaches. It includes the following:

• Online resource center – human rights data/statistics, materials, situationers, analyses,

• Library – human rights materials, documents, books, publications, photos, video documentaries, modules on various human rights issues/concerns

• Regular Publications – Human Rights Forum (HRF), In Focus, special monographs

• IEC Materials – posters, primers, stickers, comics, video documentaries etc.

• Information dissemination – forums, workshops, dialogues, conferences, etc.

4) Human Rights Monitoring and Documentation Program – this program aims at scrutinizing and documenting compliance of the major branches of government (i.e. executive, legislative, judiciary) with its human rights obligations, including the State's submission of timely reports to treaty monitoring bodies.

 

 

Activities

 

1) Human rights research

PhilRights undertakes research on the following issues:

• Mining situation in the Philippines

• Death penalty and women

• Moro and Indigenous Peoples

• Child soldiers

• Economic, social and cultural rights indicators

• Legislature and human rights.

2) Human rights education & training

PhilRights undertakes the following activities:

• Basic Human Rights Orientation

• Human Rights and Mining

• Rights-Based Approach (RBA) & Mining

• Human Rights Monitoring and Documentation

• CRC and Child Rights' Programming

3) Human rights publication

 

Publications

  • • Human Rights Forum (HRF) - a quarterly magazine
  • In Focus: A Semestral Human Rights Situationer - a human rights situationer report released every six months and covers important developments in civil and political rights, economic social and cultural rights, specifically the rights to work, food, education, health and housing.
  • The Situation of Women on Death Row in the Philippines (2006)
  • Elements of Restorative Justice Among the Moro and Indigenous Peoples' Justice System (2006)
  • The Phenomenon of Child Soldiers in the Philippines (2005)
  • Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Indicators from a Grassroots View (2004)
  • Monitoring Economic, Social & Cultural Rights: The Philippine Experience (1997)
  • Inside the Chambers: The Performance of the Ninth Congress on Human Rights (1996)

 

Video documentaries produced:

 

  • The Killing of Juan dela Cruz (The Death Penalty in the Philippines), 2005
  • Moving Mountains (Mining in the Philippines), 2004
  • Bangsamoro: Isang Sulyap sa Kanilang Pakikibaka - a video documentary on the continuing struggle of the Bangsamoro people in the Southern Philippines towards self-determination
  • The Headhunters' Shadow - a video about the Casecnan Dam project in Nueva Vizcaya and its effects on the Bugkalot people.

 

 

Address

 

Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights)

53 - B Maliksi Street, Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City

Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES 1100

ph (632) 4365686

ph/fax: (632) 4331714

e-mail: philrights[a]philrights.org; prights[a]tri-isys.com

www.philrights.org

 

 

 

Psychosocial Support and Children's Rights Resource Center (PST CRRC)

 

Year established: 1993

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Psychosocial Support and Children's Rights Resource Center (PST CRRC) began in 1993 as a special program under the Peace, Conflict Resolution, and Human Rights Program of the Center for Integrative and Development Studies of the University of the Philippines (UP CIDS PST). Its creation allowed for the mainstreaming and institutionalization of psychosocial trauma and human rights concerns in the academe.

 

In 2006, the UP CIDS PST took the bold step of becoming a non-stock, non-government organization.

 

Now known as the Psychosocial Support and Children's Rights Resource Center (PST CRRC), it continues to engage in research, training, advocacy, networking, and providing up-to-date and relevant materials and resources on psychosocial support and childhood and children's rights.

 

 

Objectives

 

PST CRRC aims to:

1) Undertake research on psychosocial support and children's and childhood issues that are relevant to policy and program development and implementation

2) Apply research-derived theories and methodologies in training, program development, advocacy, evaluation, and further research

3) Explore, identify, assess, utilize, and disseminate alternative forms of intervention to caregivers, communities, children, and survivors of natural disasters, violence, armed conflict, and other similar events

4) Publish and disseminate its research and findings to the public

5) Organize conferences, workshops, trainings, or seminars to discuss issues on and formulate policies in providing psychosocial support and children's rights

6) Provide information, materials, and resources on psychosocial support and children's rights to direct service providers, academics, students, and the general.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

Research - research activities cover a wide range of children's issues such as sexual abuse, children's participation, violence against children, child domestic workers, trafficking, children in conflict with the law, child pornography, emergency situations including natural disasters and armed conflicts, peace and conflict resolution, child labor, migration, indigenous communities, and other issues that impact on the lives of children. They are meant to contribute to the formulation of policies and programs that have made positive impacts on the lives of children and the protection of their rights as mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). They are also meant to contribute to theorizing childhood and children's experiences in the Philippines and the Southeast Asia and the Pacific regions.

 

One of the innovations made in undertaking research is the adoption of participatory research approach where the participants --- community members and children alike --- become partners in crafting the research design and activities. Another innovation is the use of creative research processes to gain access to children's ideas, thoughts, and opinions in their own words, rather than in words of adult researchers and practitioners.

 

Capacity-building - the activities involve parents, social workers, teachers, non-governmental organization (NGO) practitioners, policemen, researchers, and other similar key stakeholders. They are meant to make the children more aware of their rights and to build their capacities to demand for their human rights.

 

The capacity building work encompasses five domains: children's rights training, disaster management and preparation, biopsychosocial help, peace education, and child-centered research methods.

 

Disaster response - the activities develop the capacities of people who respond to emergencies, enable them to face disasters through a psychosocial approach that recognizes and strengthens the resilience and capacities of adults and children in communities. They also involve disaster preparedness and management trainings particularly in disaster prone areas to prepare people in the eventuality of an emergency.

 

The disaster response program brought PST CRRC to Dingalan, Quezon, Philippines which was inundated by flashfloods that killed thousands of residents in the area; St Bernard, Guinsaugon, Southern Leyte, Philippines a town that was buried by a massive rockslide brought on by heavy rains; and Albay Province, Philippines which was whipped by a super typhoon that killed and displaced thousands of residents.

 

The work of PST CRRC brought it also to Sri Lanka and Thailand to extend psychosocial support to the Asian tsunami survivors. PST CRRC also trained Thai and Sri Lankan service providers in giving psychosocial assistance to survivors and in enlisting children's participation in disaster response.

 

Monitoring and evaluation - the activities are aimed at various children-oriented organizations in assessing the soundness and appropriateness of the practices of these organizations in caring for the welfare of children and upholding their rights.

 

In the area of monitoring and evaluation, PST CRRC worked with a mix of local (Philippine and other countries) and international organizations involved in the work with children such as Vlaams International Center (VIC), Oak Foundation, UNICEF Manila office, UNICEF Vientiane office, UNICEF Bam office, UNICEF Thailand, Anti-Slavery International, among others.

 

Advocacy - the activities are aimed at the creation of political processes and social relations that ensure the protection of the rights of children as children and as human beings. Another goal is to enable children to participate in all arenas of society.

 

The advocacy work allowed PST CRRC to participate in crafting better laws for children in the Philippines; campaigning against child abuse, child labor, trafficking, and child prostitution and victimization in pornography; fighting for the better treatment of child domestic workers; encouraging for the greater participation of children in social processes; and working against the use of children in armed conflict and the better treatment of children from indigenous communities.

 

Resource Center - it has over 15,000 books, articles, audiovisual materials, and various resource materials and documents on childhoods, children's rights and issues, psychosocial support, and human rights. It has online database accessible through the following websites:

- www.psychosocialnetwork.org/resources.htm

- www.childprotection.org.ph/databases/db3index.ad

 

 

Publications

 

Below are some of the publications produced in the past several years:

  • Behind the Mask: Experiences of Children in Conflict with the Law from Rural and Non-Major Urban Areas, 2006. Arnie C. Trinidad, Anne Adelaine Manzano, and Marco Paa Puzon. Manila: Plan Philippines
  • Field Action Guide for Psychosocial Assessment of Children and Communities in Emergencies, 2006. REPSN, UNICEF-EAPRO
  • Child Pornography in the Philippines, 2005. Arnie C. Trinidad. Manila: UNICEF-Manila and PST UP CIDS
  • Raising One Voice: A Training Manual for Advocates on the Rights of Child Domestic Workers, 2005. Agnes Zenaida V. Camacho, Faye G. Balanon, and Arnie C. Trinidad. Thailand: Child Workers in Asia
  • Handbook for Social Workers on Basic Bio-Psychosocial Help for Children in Need of Special Protection, 2004. Elizabeth Protacio-De Castro et al. Manila: PST UP CIDS, UNICEF Manila, and DSWD
  • Emerging Good Practices: A Documentation of the Experiences and Learning of Save the Children UK's Programme for Abused and Exploited Children, 2003. Manila: PST UP CIDS and Save the Children (UK) Philippines
  • Painted Gray Faces, Behind Bars and in the Streets: Street Children and the Juvenile Justice System: Philippine Report, 2003. Marco Paa Puzon. Manila: PST UP CIDS and The CSC UK
  • Teaching Peace, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution: Teaching Manual, 2003. Arnie Trinidad, Ernesto Cloma, Michelle Ong, and Perlyn Bunyi. Manila: PST UP CIDS, The British Embassy Human Rights Project Fund, and Notre Dame University Cotobato City
  • Teaching Peace, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution: Training Manual, 2003. Ernie Cloma, Michelle Ong, Perlyn Bunyi, Faye A.G. Balanon, and Jay Yacat. Manila. PST UP CIDS, The British Embassy Human Rights Project Fund, and Notre Dame University Cotobato City
  • Improving the Referral System for Child Abuse Cases in the Philippines, 2001. Arlyn Verba and Faye A. G. Balanon. Manila: SC (UK) Philippines and PST UP CIDS
  • Changing Perceptions of Child Work, 2001.Agnes Zenaida V. Camacho. Manila: SC (UK) Philippines and PST UP CIDS
  • Small Steps, Great Strides: Doing Participatory Action Research with Children, 2001. Ma. Teresa dela Cruz et al. Manila: PST UP CIDS, ARCS-SEA, and UNICEF-Manila
  • Working with Abused Children: From the Lenses of Resilience and Contextualization, 2001. Violeta Bautista, Aurorita Roldan, and Myra Garces-Bacsal. Manila: SC Sweden, UP CIDS, and PST UP CIDS

 

Other information:

 

The PST CRRC is an active member of the following networks and coalitions:

• The Regional Emergency Psychosocial Support Network - www.psychosocialnetwork.org/

• The Child Protection Network - www.childprotection.org.ph/

• Philippine Coalition to Protect Children in Armed Conflict (Protect CIAC)

• South East Asia Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (SEACSUCS) - www.child-soldiers.org

 

 

Address:

 

Psychosocial Support and Children's Rights Resource Center (PST CRRC)

Unit 1501 Future Point Plaza I 112 Panay Avenue,

Quezon City, Metro Manila 1100 PHILIPPINES

ph (632) 3766388, 3822979

e-mail: pstcrrc[a:]gmail.com

www.pstcrrc.org

 

 

 

 

Salonga Center for Law and Development (Salonga Center)

 

Year Established: 2006

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Salonga Center for Law and Development (Salonga Center) was formally launched by Jovito R. Salonga, PhD on 26 August 2006 at the College of Law, Silliman University (Dumaguete city, Negros Oriental, Philippines). The Salonga Center deals with a range of issues affecting today's society such as environmental degradation, crime, poverty, the violation of human rights, labor and agrarian issues, and the effect of globalization on local development. The Salonga Center believes that pursuing and promoting equitable solutions to the challenges posed by these issues is the key to directing the social, political, and economic forces that influence Philippine development in the new millennium.

 

Salonga Center pioneers what it calls Transformative Law – the study and application of law to transform society, shape policies through advocacy, legal education, research, training, and service learning. Transformative law brings the law beyond the courts and the classrooms and to the barrios, barangays, the local government units, the policy makers, and national and local legislators.

 

 

It is administratively under a body composed of the Dean and Faculty of Law, with the Dean acting as the convenor. The Director of the Salonga Center is an ex-officio member of said body. This body is directly under the Office of the President of the university.

 

 

Objective

 

The Silliman University College of Law aims to teach law with a conscience - that kind of law which to paraphrase our Lord and Savior, brings good news to the poor, liberates the captives, gives hope to the blind, and sets at liberty those who are oppressed. This is the kind of law that will eventually transform our society into a just, compassionate, and prosperous society.

 

Program

 

In pursuit of this goal, the College of Law has embarked on strengthening and expanding its current programs, namely the Free Legal Counseling Program, the Legal Environmental Advocacy Program (LEAP), and its field exposure programs, through the Salonga Center. Three core elements guide the Salonga Center in its programs and operations: Legal Education & Training, Legal Advocacy, and Research.

 

Salonga Center’s research program aims to provide independent statistics on various issues such as population, health, economic growth, and political participation, and to critically analyze Philippine and international laws. Opinions and analyses will then be incorporated in a publication which will be made available to government offices, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

 

 

Activities

 

PAHINUNGOD – community-based activities that provide information and assistance on legal matters to various barangays (communities) within and outside the province of Negros Oriental.

 

Salonga Center on Air – a one-hour radio program (at DYEM 96.7 Energy FM) discussing local legal issues

 

Workshop – aimed at increasing the awareness of various sectors of society (students, teachers, barangay leaders, government officials) on laws and legal mechanisms relating to significant issues such as elections, and government system.

 

University Convocation – lecture on issues of national significance by well-known personalities in the fields of law and politics.

 

Thursday Forum - an avenue for the different sectors of the community to discuss and analyze different societal issues, to educate and inform the public about them, and to come up with possible solutions.

 

 

Other Information

 

Some of the specific research interests of the Salonga Center:

 

1. Creation of special courts to handle violations of traffic rules, ordinances and other small claims

2. Revisiting the developmental programs of the government, such as agrarian reform, Filipinization program, etc. to determine if they have promoted economic and social development. The research will utilize comparative research to study similar issues and programs in other countries, and use the research results to enhance Philippine development

3. "Shepardize" Philippine law and jurisprudence. Considering the magnitude of the undertaking, this remains just a dream project.

 

 

Address

 

Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center For Law And Development

Silliman University College of Law

Villareal Hall, Silliman University

6200 Dumaguete City, PHILIPPINES

ph (6335) 422-6002

e-mail: su_salongacenter[a]yahoo.com.ph

www.salongacenter.org

 

 

 

 

Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC)

 

Year Established:1987

 

Short Historical Background

 

The Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC) is a non-profit research institute established in 1987 and based in Manila, Philippines.

 

SMC is dedicated to encouraging and facilitating the study of socio-demographic, economic, political, psychological, historical, legislative and religious aspects of human migration and refugee movements from and within Asia.

 

SMC is a member of the Federation of Centers for Migration Studies (FCMS) "G.B. Scalabrini," which is responsible for the publication of some of the major journals on migration studies. SMC is also a member of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN), which has permanent observer status in the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch.

 

Objectives 

 

SMC aims

1) To encourage the interdisciplinary study of migration in Asia-Pacific

2) To contribute to the development of informed policies that will ensure respect for the rights and dignity of migrants

3) To promote greater solidarity with migrants and with institutions and individuals working for migrants welfare. 

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

Research

 

SMC's research program aims to shed light on the many facets and dimensions of migration in the Philippines and in the region.

 

Among the researches SMC has conducted are: the three-year study on migration and development, the effectiveness of the reform on domestic workers from the Philippines, the pre-departure programs of the Philippines, Indonesia and Nepal, the relationship between employment of youth and migration, the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers from Libya and Syria, a database of essential data on migration flow from and to Asian countries, the impacts of migration on the children and families left behind, solo-parenting, female migration, international marriages between Filipino women and foreign men, migration and entrepreneurship, evaluation of the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS), assessment of pre-departure information programs, Filipino migration to Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, assessment of HIV vulnerability in migration in the BIMP-EAGA region, the return and reintegration of Filipino women migrants, unauthorized migration in Southeast Asia and migration information system in Asia.

 

SMC periodically organizes international conferences on migration, such as the following:

• Human Rights of Migrant Workers: Agenda for NGOs, 1992

• Migration and Trade: Implications for the Philippines, 1995

• Asian Women in Migration, 1995

• The Impact of the Crisis on Migration in Asia, 1998

• Migrations in Asia and Europe in Contemporary Times: Exploring Transnationalism, Multiple Linkages and Development, 2005

• Faith on the Move. Towards a Theology of Migration in Asia, 2006

• Turning Transnational? International Migration and Development Prospects in the Philippines, 2007

 

 

Publications

 

• Brick by Brick: Building Cooperation between the Philippines and Migrants' Associations in Italy and Spain, Fabio Baggio, ed. (2010)

• Transnational Bridges: Migration, Development and Solidarity in the Philippines (2010)

• Moving Out, Back and Up: International Migration and Development Prospects in the Philippines, Maruja M.B. Asis and Fabio Baggio, (eds.) (2008)

• Orgoglio e Pregiudizio (2005)

• Preparing to Work Abroad - Filipino Migrants' Experiences Prior to Deployment (2004)

• Hearts Apart - Migration in the Eyes of Filipino Children (2003)

• Exodus Series, A Resource Guide for the Migrant Ministry in Asia

• Unauthorized Migration (2003)

• Asia-Pacific Migration Journal (APMJ)

• Asian Women in Migration, Graziano Battistella and Anthony Paganoni (eds.) (1996)

• Migration from the Philippines , 1975-1995. An Annotated Bibliography, Joyce Yukawa (1996)

• Directory of NGOs for Migrants in Asia (second edition) (1997)

• Human Rights of Migrant Workers: Agenda for NGOs, Graziano Battistella (ed.) (1993)

• Intermarriages in International Contexts: A Study of Filipino women married to Australian, Japanese and Swiss men, Desmond Cahill (1990)

• Philippine Labor Migration: Impact and Policy, Graziano Battistella and Anthony Paganoni (eds.) (1992)

 

Documentation and Resource Collection

 

SMC maintains a specialized library of books, periodicals, documents and news clippings, an important resource for research, advocacy and policymaking. Over 6000 volumes and more than 100 journals, magazines and newsletters are housed in the Center's growing collection.

 

 

Address

 

Scalabrini Migration Center

40 Matapat Street, Bgy. Pinyahan

1100 Quezon City,  PHILIPPINES

ph (632) 436-7915/ 436-7690

fax: (632) 434-7692

e-mail: smc[a]smc.org.ph

www.smc.org.ph

 

 

 

 

Sulong CARHRIHL

 

Year Established: 2005


Short Historical Background


Sulong CARHRIHL is a citizen’s network that promotes and advocates peace, human rights and humanitarian law in areas affected by armed conflict. It promotes the meaningful implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) by the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front. Sulong CARHRIHL builds partnerships with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), people’s and sectoral organizations, local communities, religious and academic institutions and reaches out to individuals who share the same advocacy.


Sulong CARHRIHL envisions itself to be a venue for open discussions geared in strengthening its network of citizens – that continuously promote initiatives for peace and CARHRIHL – in pushing both the GPH and the NDFP peace panels to reconvene for the peace talks and for a just and lasting peace in the context of respect for human rights and social justice.


Objective


Sulong CARHRIHL aims to be the primary network for human rights and peace in the country through promoting the empowerment of citizens in advocating for the peace process, peace keeping and peace building towards a significant resolution of the armed conflict between the GPH and the CPP-NPA-NDF. Sulong CARHRIHL endeavors to assert on achieving real and lasting peace based on social justice and genuine development of the community.


Programs

 

• Strategic Partnership Building Program - this is an integral program in sustaining the efforts for human rights, peace and CARHRIHL advocacy in conflict-affected areas. The program is in charge of building, consolidating and expanding the constituency of Sulong CARHRIHL Network with geographical presence both at the national and local levels with distinct sectoral and multi-sectoral characters.
Its main track is to consolidate the peace initiatives and actions of its strategic partners as well as create opportunities for other calculated engagements towards ensuring CARHRIHL implementation and intervention on other CARHRIHL related issues.
In the local communities, the translation of the program outcomes is the establishment of CARHRIHL Peace Zones which is set-up through the multi-stakeholder complimentary actions. At the national level, target outcome is the formation of a multi-stakeholder network for human rights and peace with concrete advocacy for CARHRIHL.
• Policy Advocacy and Networking Program (PAN) – this is in charge of building and maintaining working relationship with national government agencies and policymakers to advance policy engagement and advocacy of Sulong CARHRIHL Network and to facilitate service delivery to CARHRIHL areas.
While policy advocacy is an engagement towards social policy reforms, the networking component of the program deals with building working relationship with key actors in policy advocacy work which includes the policy makers and social actors in the field of CARHRIHL and CARHRIHL–related engagements.
Another focus of the program is the provision of policy reviews and analyses to different stakeholders and state actors, such as government officials, lawmakers, civil society, media, general public, etc., to contribute to a better understanding of the circumstances, forces and factors that affect further advancement of the advocacy.
Its main policy contribution is the development comprehensive policy analyses that could influence the National Peace Agenda put forth by government planners.
Another fundamental function of the program is developing the message and communication tools of the Sulong CARHRIHL Network’s identity/brand and its advocacy to the general public and targeted audience.
• Monitoring and Action Response (MAR) – this is a program of intervention intended to address the needs of the survivors/victims of human rights violations committed by both parties to the CARHRIHL. It facilitates the victims/survivors right to seek remedy and relief thru documentation, and provision of immediate assistance.


It is a systematized approach of providing redress as well as facilitating institutional response from other stakeholders in the communities, civil society and government agencies.

This program also monitors and documents cases of CARHRIHL violations. It maintains a database, which is useful as resource for research, advocacy programs and policy intervention.


It creates partnership and collaborative efforts with stakeholders in the civil-society community and government service providers in providing relief and assistance in their best capacities and
mandates.


Address


Sulong CARHRIHL
117-C Matatag St., Central District
Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Metro Manila, Philippines
ph (632) 4340289
fax (632) 236 0837
Hotlines: (63-917) 5152184; 8441257
e-mail: sulongnet[a]yahoo.com
http://sulongnetwork.ph

 

 

 

 

Women and Gender Institute (WAGI)

- Miriam College

 

Year Established: 1999

 

Short Historical Background

 

Maryknoll College (now Miriam College) was one of the pioneers in introducing women’s studies in the Philippines. As early as the 1970s, the course “Women and Society” was introduced in the school’s curriculums. In the early 1980s, the school along with leading institutions in Metro Manila, organized the Metro Manila Women’s Studies Consortium, the predecessor of the Women’s Studies Association of the Philippines (WSAP).

 

In the 1987, the Women’s Resource and Research Center (WRRC) was established on campus to address the “integrative needs of women’s research, action and scholarship towards social transformation based on truth, justice, and peace.”

 

Currently, the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) continues the pioneering efforts of the WRRC with its renewed efforts in charting new directions for the school’s women and gender programs through initiatives in gender-fair education, feminist research and advocacy on women’s rights. It offers a cross-discipline perspective on women’s empowerment that is interlinked with democracy, human rights, social justice and value formation. WAGI became operational in the Second Semester of School Year 1999-2000, under the presidency of Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan.

 

 

Objectives

 

Vision: WAGI is an active co-creator of a just, peaceful and sustainable future through its promotion of non-sexist learning that upholds women’s rights and gender equality

 

Mission: WAGI provides services in gender-fair education, young women’s leadership formation, feminist scholarship, and gender mainstreaming in public policy, to academic and non-academic organizations and institutions in the Philippines and in the Asia Pacific region.

 

Values: WAGI upholds the principles of justice, gender equality and equity, tolerance and respect, and autonomy.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

Gender Fair Education Program

 

Mainstreams the perspectives, values and strategies related to the integration of women’s rights and gender equality and equity in the curriculums, teaching, student development and administration at Miriam College. This program also undertakes teacher-training seminars in other campuses, as well as, research on gender socialization in school systems. Activities of the program are: (a) Summer Courses on Gender Fair Education (Basic Education) and Gender in the Curriculum (Tertiary Level); (b) Gender Mainstreaming Committee of Miriam College; (c) Non-Sexist Learning for Male Faculty Members; and (d) manuals on Non-Sexist Test Construction, Non-Sexist Language and Gender Stereotypes in Textbooks.

 

International Human Rights & Governance Program

 

Undertakes consultancy work, research and trainings on women’s human rights and empowerment. It aims to popularize the United Nations instruments and other international agreements on women’s rights through education, training, and advocacy. This program hopes to contribute to the institutionalization of a law-based system characterized by democracy and gender equality in the Philippines and in the Asia-Pacific region. Among the activities under this program are the following: (a) Summer Course on International Women’s Human Rights; (b) Information and Training on the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); (c) Eminent Women in Politics Lecture Series; (d) Dialogue with Muslim Women; (e) Gender Mainstreaming in Governance Reform Program; and (f) Southeast Asia Women’s Watch.

 

Young Women Leadership Program

 

Supports leadership formation of Miriam College students through collaborations with various academic units, service offices and student organizations on campus. WAGI also reaches out to student and youth formations on other campuses, particularly the member-schools of the Consortium of Women’s Colleges (CWC). Activities include: (a) Young Women Leader’s Annual Conference; (b) Young Women Leadership Training; (c) formation of young feminist groups – BAI and LIYAB; and (d) research studies on adolescent sexuality.

 

Gender, Development & Economic Globalization Program

 

Generates information and analyses based on critical feminist perspectives on aid, development trade and economic globalization in support of people’s advocacy and social movement building. It is the base for regional coordination of two international knowledge, research and advocacy networks, namely Development Alternatives with Women for A New Era (DAWN) – Southeast Asia and International Gender and Trade Network-Asia. Its activities include: (a) occasional regional research on well-being and development issues faced by women (and men) in poverty and other groups at risk; (b) trade and feminist macroeconomic literacy training for women’s organizations, social movements and trade negotiators from south countries and production of analyses in literacy packets; (c) collaboration on feminist and inter-movement dialogues for transnational movements; and (d) regular forum on feminist economics and participation in the International Association for Feminist Economics.

 

Gender Peace and Security Progam

 

Through research, education, exchanges and advocacy, the program seeks to highlight the gender dimensions of war and militarism, respond to the needs and issues of women in conflict and post-conflict situations, and facilitate the articulation of an alternative security paradigm that placed gender justice at the center. While primarily responding to the Philippine context, the Program builds and nurtures local-global linkages around feminist scholarship and advocacy around issues related to “gender, peace and security” through: (a) Dialogues and Exchanges; (b) Training and Capability-Building; (c) Research and Publication; and (d) Networking and Resource Mobilization.

 

Migration Studies and Research Program

 

The Migration Studies and Research Program is an interdisciplinary program committed to the critical study and analysis of contemporary migration in the context of globalization and transnational processes. Through teaching, research and exchanges, the program aims to generate knowledge and competencies in order to contribute to an informed and critical discourse on migration issues. Among its activities are: (a) Summer Institute on Migration; (b) Migration Lecture Series; and (c) occasional research migration concerns.

 

 

Publications

 

  •  International Gender and Trade Network-Asia Literacy Packet

          o Issue 1: Trade Intensification in Asian Economies: What It Means to Women's Work (2001)

          o Issue 2: Social Policy In an Era of Trade Intensification: A Perspective from Asian Women (2002)

          o Issue 3: Rule-making and Governance for Trade Intensification: Asian Women's Views (2003)

  • Gender Gap Audit Toolkit for Social Investigation (2002)
  • Political Restructuring and Social Transformation: Feminist Critical Essays in Southeast Asia (2000)
  • Quilted Sightings: A Reader in Women and Gender Studies (2001)
  • Quilted Sightings: A Women and Gender Studies Reader (2002)
  • The Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action: Monitoring And Evaluation: The Asian Experience (2001)
  • SEAWatch Project. “ Beijing + 10 Monitoring Project: Gender Equality, Equity and Non-discrimination in Resources.” Country Researches from Cambodia , Malaysia , Philippines , Thailand (2002-2003)
  •  “Voices 2005 and Beyond”. Proceedings of the Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing + 10 “Celebrating Gains…Confronting Emerging Issues” (June 30-July 3, 2004)
  • From De Jure to De Facto Rights: Towards a Framework of Strengthening Implementation of CEDAW in the Philippines, Eleanor Conda, et al. with funding support from UNIFEM (2005)
  • “Negotiation Kit for Beijing + 10: Little Purple Book”. The proceedings of the Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing + 10 held on June 30 to July 3, 2004 at Mahidol University . Quezon City: WAGI (2005)
  • “Gender Socialization in Child-Friendly Schools: An Exploratory Study,” Francisco, Josefa. Submitted to UNICEF-Philippines, August 2001
  • How to do Things with Fear: Language and the Production of Christian Pride and Muslim Prejudice, Israel, Lorna (2005)
  • “Third Report on the Advancement of Women in ASEAN: Gender Dimensions of Globalisation and Regional Integration.” Francisco Josefa (Project Director). Indonesia : The ASEAN Secretariat (2007)

 

 

Other Information

 

WAGI annually offers summer courses on (1) International Women’s Human Rights, (2) Summer Institute on Migration, and (3) Gender – Fair Education. It also provides gender sensitivity training and orientation on women’s human rights to faculty, students, government people, non-governmental and international development organizations.

 

Address

 

Women and Gender Institute (WAGI)

Miriam College

Ground Floor, Caritas Building, Miriam College

Katipunan Road, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

PHILIPPINES

ph (632) 4359229 / 5805400 local 3590

ph/fax (632) 435-9229

e-mail: wagi[a]mc.edu.ph

www.mc.edu.ph/centers/womengenderinstitute.html

 

 

 

 

Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy and Defense (WOMENLEAD)

 

Year Established: 2000

 

Short Historical Background

 

Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy and Defense (WOMENLEAD) Foundation, Inc., established in June 2000, envisions itself as a nationally recognized non‐governmental organization (NGO) of feminist legal advocates and activists that contributes to the development of communities where women’s human rights are recognized, respected, protected and realized. It provides strategic feminist legal interventions for the promotion of human rights and sexual and reproductive empowerment of women and girls.

 

 

Objectives

 

Womenlead aims

1) To create a policy environment conducive to advocacy for changes in the legal system towards addressing the needs of women and girl‐children

2) To raise the consciousness of the general public on women’s and girl‐children human rights and sexual reproductive (SR) rights

3) To build the capacity of stakeholders for the empowerment of women and girl‐children

4) To provide feminist strategic legal intervention that is affordable, appropriate, empowering and responsive to the needs of women and girl‐children

5) To develop strong partnerships with various stakeholders towards a more effective advocacy and service delivery.

 

 

Programs and Activities

 

1. Legal Services Program (LSP)

Since its founding in 2000, Womenlead, through the LSP (previously, the “Feminist Counseling and Legal Services (FCLS) Program), has provided legal services to around three hundred female survivors of rape, sexual harassment, trafficking in persons, intimate partner abuse and other forms of violence against women (VAW) and discrimination. These services range from phone or face‐to‐face legal counselling and referral for psycho‐social intervention to network organizations, to representations in negotiation with third parties on survivor’s just and legitimate claims, to full representation as counsels‐of‐record in litigating their cases before the courts or quasi‐judicial agencies and similar bodies.

 

Womenlead limits its litigation and other forms of legal representation work to strategic cases, defined as those cases which call for the application of a new law, expands existing jurisprudence or create jurisprudence where there is none, or has a high educational impact on the law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary and/or the public‐at‐large.

 

2. Legal Education and Training Program (LET)

Womenlead, through the LET program (formerly, Training and Legal Education (TLE)), has successfully implemented training programs, designs and modules for a wide range of audience on various issues of women’s human rights. The Comprehensive Paralegal Training Programme (CPTP) was among the first implemented by Womenlead for its partner‐NGOs working on VAW. It has since been duplicated in another set of NGO service providers and community leaders. Graduates of the CPTP continue to be active in service provision in their respective communities and organizations.

 

It holds interdisciplinary seminar‐workshop for prosecutors, judges, lawyers and non‐government service providers on the issue of trafficking in persons to raise the awareness of the relevant state and non‐state duty‐holders on the phenomenon of trafficking, specially of women and children, the anti-trafficking law, and the protection and promotion of the rights of the trafficking survivor.

 

It holds a Trainors’ Training on reproductive health for the training staff of network‐organizations working on the issue of reproductive health.

 

Its holds orientation seminars on child sexual abuse to a wide range of audiences, from girl‐children (ages 6‐12 and 13‐17), to women and mothers in the community, to local (town) service providers.

 

Through LET, Womenlead reaches out to young urban professionals and college students through trainings on sexual harassment in campuses and corporate offices, to social workers and other service providers from the NGO community, health service providers from private and public hospitals and health centers, barangay (community) workers, and community women. It holds lectures/orientations on the law on Violence Against Women and Children (RA 9262) and sexual and reproductive rights.

 

3. Public Policy Advocacy (PPA) Program

Through the PPA program (formerly, Campaigns, Media and External Linkages (CAMEL) program), Womenlead links with other NGOs and people’s organizations (POs) in policy and legal advocacy and campaigns.

 

Womenlead is currently an active member of the following networks:

1) Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) consisting of thirty‐nine NGOs and People’s Organizations (POs) working in the field of reproductive health and family planning and the leading network advocating for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill in Congress and in conducting campaign activities to raise the public awareness on reproductive health and rights.

2) Council of the Alternative Law Groups (ALG, Inc.), a coalition of nineteen NGOs from all over the country, with legal program components and which adhere to the principles and values of alternative or development law.

3) National Network of Family Violence Prevention Programs Violence Against Women Network (NNFVPP – VAWNET) – a network of more than forty women’s organizations, government agencies, and people’s organizations that provide services to women survivors of violence.

 

Womenlead has been actively involved in the legislative advocacy for the passage of the Anti‐Trafficking Law of 2003 (RA 9208) and the Anti‐Violence

Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (RA 9262), currently advocating for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill as well as opposing bills filed by conservative members of the House of Representatives calling for the ban on contraceptives, granting health workers the right to refuse to give reproductive health services on religious grounds, and widening the scope of abortion which is a criminal act under the present law.

 

The PPA program also covers media and public advocacy. Womenlead releases public statements on various issues on women’s human rights, through print, radio and television media. It issues position papers and press releases on various reproductive rights issues arising in the media, including the condom ad ban and the passage of the reproductive health and population management ordinance of Quezon City, Metro Manila. Its members are featured in radio programs (such as “Krus na Daan: Ang Babae at Ang Batas” (Crossroads: Women and the Law), aired live every Friday at DZRH 180 Khz AM Radio) and the tri-media.

 

 

4. Research and Documentation (RD) Program,

Under the RD program (formerly, Research, Publication & Legal Resources (RPLR) program) Womenlead produces a number of materials including journal, monograph, primer, book, magazine, and other unpublished materials.

 

 

Publications

 

  • Women’s Journal on Law and Culture

          - Vol. 1 No.1, Sexuality, Morality and the Law (2001)

          - Vol. 2, No. 1, Women in Prison: Gender Issues in Criminal Justice (2005)

  • Womenlead Monograph Series 2005

          - Vol. 1, Issue Nos. 1 & 2, Freely Speaking: Women on Women’s Issues, Special Double Issue featuring Discussions on Pornography and           Prostitution (2005)

          - Vo. 1, Issue No. 3, Conflicts and Interests: Trafficking in Filipino Women and the Philippine Policies on Trafficking and Migration,           Carolina S. Ruiz‐Austria (2005)

          - Vol. 1, Issue No. 4, When Freedom Fails: An Analysis of Free Expression and Women’s Right to Safe Abortion in the Philippines,           Carolina S. Ruiz‐Austria (2005)

  • Primers
  • Confronting Legal Impediments to Reproductive Freedom: The Legal Battle to Re‐Register Emergency Contraception in the Philippines (2003)
  • Girls in Law: Laws Affecting Young Women, Carolina S. Ruiz‐Austria and Venus Cruz (2005)
  • When Breaking Up is Hard Not to Do: A Primer on the Laws Affecting Marriage, Minerva Quintela and Carolina S. Ruiz‐Austria (2005)
  • Justice Beyond Bars: A Guide to Civil Cases for Women, Mae Nina Reyes‐Gallos (2005)
  • A Guide to the Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2000, Claire Angeline P. Luczon (2005)
  • How To Handle Searches and Seizures: Primer for Reproductive Health Service Providers, Mae Nina Reyes‐Gallos (2004)
  • RH is HR: A Primer on Reproductive Rights, Venus B. Cruz (2007)

• Book

  • -Heresy - a compilation of published statements and position papers of Womenlead on women’s sexuality, reproductive rights, sexual abuse by the clergy and religion, Carolina S. Ruiz‐Austria (ed.) (2005)

• Magazine

  • Ripples - supplementary magazine for Women’s Journal on Law and Culture, Reshaping the World (2003).

 

Unpublished works:

  • Women’s Ways to Empowerment: Training Modules (2005)
  • How Gender Responsive is the ALG: A Review of Gender Integration Among the ALG, Research Paper under the ALG‐JURIS Project (2006)

 

Research work published by the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), Inc. under the JURIS project:

  • Tuning In to Women’s Voices on Justice: An Initial Review of Literature on Philippine Publications on Women and Justice in Inroads - ALG Study Series No. 1 (2005)

 

These materials are distributed to partner‐organizations, clients, local public officials and other service providers, members of the media and the academe.

 

 

Address

 

Women's Legal Education, Advocacy & Defense Foundation, Inc. (WOMENLEAD)

Room #3, Macagba House

1589 Quezon Avenue, West Triangle

1104 Quezon City, PHILIPPINES

ph/fax (632) 412-6221

e-mail: womenlead.foundation[a]gmail.com; women_lead[a]yahoo.com

www.geocities.com/women_lead

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINES

 

 

Directory of Asia-Pacific Human Rights Centers

 

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