The passage of Republic Act No. 11648, the Act Providing for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, is a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day because the new law enhances the protection of women and children.

This was what Karen S. Gomez Dumpit, focal commissioner on Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Gender Ombud, pointed out in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 8.

“We celebrate the gains brought about by women’s human rights and gender equality champions in passing key pieces of legislation enhancing protection for women and children. Last year, the work of advocates saw the passage of the law prohibiting child marriages, and this year, in time for international women’s day -- the passage of another milestone: the law raising the age of sexual consent,” Commissioner Dumpit said.

Dumpit said the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) believes that women human rights defenders and advocates have taken great strides in national and international spaces, and it is because of their hard work and perseverance that key legislation have passed.

“It is only apt, that on this International Women’s Day we give credit where it is due -- our women human rights defenders, our gender equality champions in Congress—most of them courageous and fearless women,” she said.

She pointed out that because of RA 11684, there are important amendments made in the country’s current rape and child abuse laws. She cited in particular, the age of sexual consent has been raised from 12 years old to 16.

She said the amendment responds to the reality that seven out of 10 cases of rape happen to children, mostly girls, and that one out of five children experienced sexual violence.

“It also responds to the reality that many victim survivors of rape, especially girl children, face a myriad of barriers in accessing justice—including cases of victim blaming, revictimization, rape myths and stereotypes,” she said.

“This law promises better protection by laying clear that having carnal knowledge of an individual under 16 years of age is rape, including those committed against children exploited in prostitution,” she said.

Despite the work of human rights defenders and advocates, the CHR raised concern over the continuing attacks made against them as well as threats to their security.

Women human rights defenders also face misogyny and even incarceration, Dumpit said.

“To truly honor women’s day, let us stand in solidarity, let us work side by side, let us defend and support the work of women human rights defenders,” she stressed.