The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) supports the partnership of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to mainstream gender and development (GAD) within the military.

During a virtual signing ceremony last Sept. 14, the PCW and AFP inked an agreement to promote gender sensitivity and develop gender-responsive policies within the military.

The partnership seeks to equip the AFP – including the Philippine Army (PA), the Philippine Navy (PN), and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) -- in terms of fortifying gender and development implementation, programs, and policies.

Under the agreement, PCW and AFP will work hand in hand on the AFP-wide GAD agenda development.

“Integrating gender perspective in security plans and operations will help ensure a genuine human security approach that will consider the differing needs of all genders across all spectrum and will put primacy to the most vulnerable groups, including women and girls,” said CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia.

De Guia said the commission noted that the partnership will help ensure that the voices of women are heard in decision-making concerning security programs, community operations, and peace processes.

“When all genders are included in the decision-making process and formulation of policies and programs, we can expect increased efficiency and better results that can be genuinely felt by the concerned groups,” she said.

She pointed out that the CHR also noted that in the context of the pandemic, this initiative will also promote greater sensitivity to the plight of women within the security sector and the women in the communities that AFP serves.

“Considering the vulnerabilities of women due to gender-based discrimination, violence, and abuses compounded in these fragile times, the Commission appreciates continuing efforts that aim for greater protection for them,” she stressed.

CHR hopes that such measures would diminish gender-based violations and will result in the improved situation of women within the military and the communities they serve, she added.

PCW Executive Director Kristine Rosary E. Yuson-Chaves had expressed gratitude to the AFP for its willingness to improve their GAD efforts to push for gender equality and women’s empowerment.