Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran Inc. (SPARK! Philippines) Executive Director Maica Teves were cited by the French government as defenders of human rights for their initiatives in safeguarding the rights of persons deprived of liberty in the city.

Belmonte and Teves were recognized during the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the 25th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Defenders on Sunday, Dec. 10, held at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris

The event was spearheaded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Nobel Peace Prize Awardee Maria Ressa.

Among the initiatives of the Quezon City government and SPARK! Philippines was the Vote to Tote program, under the "No Woman Left Behind" project, which allows women at the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory (QCJFD) to repurpose election campaing materials like tarpaulins into stylish tote bags.

According to SPARK! Philippines, the bags, designed by the renowned Zarah Juan and skillfully crafted by PDLs in the Female Dormitory using donated machine contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing tarpaulin waste and providing economic opportunities for women.

The women PDLs were also allowed to express their hopes and dreams by painting the jail facility's walls alongside French artists. The program was among the collaborations of the city government and the non-profit organization with the support of the French Embassy in the Philippines.

“Our female PDLs are among the most marginalized sectors of our society, and it is our duty to ensure that they are not forgotten and that their dignity, interests, and rights are protected," Teves said.

SPARK! Philippines said it envisions creating an inclusive environment where women PDLs are empowered to become productive members of society, free from discrimination and stigma.

Under Mayor Belmonte's leadership, the local government also collaborated with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to train women PDLs on basic baking and bread making, meat processing, and candle making.

They also have the option to enroll in the Alternative Learning System Program, receive free medical assistance, and access a child-friendly visitation area inside the female dormitory.

“We look after their welfare not only while in detention but also upon their release into the community. We provide them access to comprehensive healthcare, secondary and tertiary education, and a diversity of livelihoods so they are not deprived of the opportunity to reach their full potential, even when confined inside a facility,” Belmonte said,

“Many are also given capital assistance or a small business to start afresh when they are no longer behind bars. We believe that even as they serve their sentence or await trial, their human dignity must be respected and preserved at all times,” she added.

The city government said that aside from her initiatives for the PDLs, Belmonte was also cited for the city's programs for the youth, women, persons with disabilities, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and for providing safe spaces for all

SPARK! Philippines is a non-governmental organization committed to advancing women's rights and promoting gender equality.