International Mandates for Gender and Development

  1. United Nation Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (UN CEDAW) – adopted by UN in 1979 and took effect on September 4, 1981.
  2. International Bill of Rights of Women – promotes equality in all fields; affirmative action for women and protection of women from violence.
  3. Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA)1995 – calls for action on 12 areas of concern affecting women and girl-children.
  4. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – are eight international development goals that all 192 member states of UN and at least 23 international organizations adopted during the 2000 UN Millennium Summit; aim to eliminate extreme poverty by 2015.
  5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals –  adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

National Mandates for Gender Mainstreaming

  1. 1987 Philippine Constitution – The state recognizes the role of women in nation building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men (Sec. 14, Art. 11).
  2. Laws on Gender Mainstreaming Enacted by Congress:
    1. Republic Act No. 7192 (1992) Women in Development and Nation Building Act – promotes the integration of women as full equal partners of men in development and nation building.
    2. General Appropriations Act (GAA) from 1995 to present – directs government agencies to formulate a Gender and Development (GAD) plan, the cost of which shall not be less than 5% of their yearly budget.
    3. Republic Act No. 9710 (2009) Magna Carta of Women – The local adaptation of the UN CEDAW; requires: i) all government departments to ensure that women benefit equally and participate directly in the development programs and projects; ii) that GAD Programs addressing gender issues and concerns shall be designed and implemented based on the mandate of National Government Agencies and Local Government Units.