University of Baguio

Assumption Road, Baguio City 2600

Gender and Society

Topic: Gender and Health

Objectives:

1. Describe reproductive and sexual health issues.

2. Identify the various reproductive and sexual health issues.
3. Design personal programs to monitor one’s health.
4. Appreciate the need for community to treat reproductive and sexual health issues in
the community as equally important as other issues as they affect direct effect on the
development of society.
5. Determine the nature of pro-life and pro-choice concepts as part of gender issues.
6. Develop a sense of sympathy and understanding for women victims of
circumstances that draws them to undergo dilemma as to the choices they make in
life.
7. Move into articulating his thoughts about pro-life and pro-choice by engaging in
discussion or group dynamics.

Reproductive and Sexual Health

Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being,
not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive
system and to its functions and processes.

Reproductive health implies that people can have a satisfying and safe sex life and
that they have the capacity to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and
how often to do so. Implicit in this last condition are the following:
• the rights of women and men to be informed.
• to have access to safe, effective, affordable, and acceptable methods of family
planning, including methods for regulation of fertility, which are not against the
law.
• the right of access to appropriate healthcare services to enable women to have
a safe pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of
having a healthy infant.
International Conference on Population and Development – ICPD (1994). Program of Action. UN Doc. A/CONF.171/13
1994, Chap. 7. A.

Sexual Health (World Health Organization)

Sexual health is fundamental to the overall health and well-being of individuals,

couples, and families, and to the social and economic development of communities
and countries.

Sexual health, when viewed affirmatively, requires a positive and respectful approach
to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and
safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence. The ability of
people to achieve sexual health and well-being depends on their:

• access to comprehensive, good-quality information about sex and sexuality.

• knowledge about the risks they may face and their vulnerability to adverse
consequences of unprotected sexual activity.
• ability to access sexual health care.
• living in an environment that affirms and promotes sexual health.

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Sexuality

Sexuality is an aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender
identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction.
Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes,
values, behaviors, practices, roles, and relationships. While sexuality can include all
these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is
influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political,
cultural, ethical, legal, historical, religious, and spiritual factors.

Sexual rights

The fulfilment of sexual health is tied to the extent to which human rights are respected,
protected, and fulfilled. Sexual rights embrace certain human rights that are already
recognized in international and regional human rights documents and other consensus
documents and in national laws. Rights critical to the realization of sexual health
include:

• the rights to life, liberty, autonomy, and security of the person

• the rights to equality and non-discrimination
• the right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or
punishment.
• the right to privacy
• the rights to the highest attainable standard of health (including sexual health)
and social security.
• the right to marry and to find a family and enter marriage with the free and full
consent of the intending spouses, and to equality in and at the dissolution of
marriage.
• the right to decide the number and spacing of one’s children.
• the rights to information, as well as education
• the rights to freedom of opinion and expression.
• the right to an effective remedy for violations of fundamental rights.

The application of existing human rights to sexuality and sexual health constitutes sexual
rights. Sexual rights protect all people’s rights to fulfil and express their sexuality and
enjoy sexual health, with due regard for the rights of others and within a framework of
protection against discrimination.

Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues

1. Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

A. Reproductive tract infections (RTIs), including both sexually transmitted infections

(STIs) and non-sexually transmitted infections (non-STIs) of the reproductive tract are
responsible for major ill-health throughout the world. World Health Organization
estimates that each year there are over 340 million new cases of sexually transmitted
infections in which 75–85% occur in developing countries.

Symptoms

Male: (Urinary Tract Infection)

• Urinating more often

• Feeling an urgent need to urinate
• Pain and discomfort (burning) when you urinate.
• Discharge from the penis (that is, a clear fluid or small amount of pus from the
penis)
• Abdominal pain
• Fever or chills.
• Urine that looks cloudy or reddish
• Back pain (infection of the prostate may cause low back pain while a kidney
infection may cause mid-back pain)

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Female: (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)

• Pain — ranging from mild to severe — in your lower abdomen and pelvis.
• Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge that may have an unpleasant odor.
• Unusual bleeding from the vagina, especially during or after sex, or between
periods
• Pain during sex
• Fever, sometimes with chills
• Painful, frequent, or difficult urination

B. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite people can
get through sexual contact. Many STIs have no symptoms, so people can have an
infection but not know it. A sexually transmitted disease (STD) develops because of an
STI, and the term implies that the infection has led to some symptom of disease.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in women. It happens when the normal
balance of micro-organisms in the vagina gets disrupted. BV can spread through sexual
contact. The risk of getting BV increases when having sexual contact with new partners,
and from not using condoms correctly and consistently.

Common symptoms include:

• unusual discharge from the vagina, which may be thin and light grey or white.
• a strong fishy or musty odor from the vagina
• itching or irritation around the vagina
• burning during urination

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection that can occur in both men and
women. It is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. It is easily treated
and cured with antibiotics. If not treated, chlamydia can cause serious problems,
including infertility and ectopic pregnancy. In pregnant women, it can cause the baby
to be born early.

In women, common symptoms include:

• a change in vaginal discharge
• bleeding between menstrual periods or after sex
• pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen.
• burning sensation when urinating

Common symptoms in men include:

• burning when urinating
• discharge from the penis.
• pain or discomfort in the testicles.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a type of bacteria. It

usually spreads through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Gonorrhea is treatable and curable
with antibiotics.

In men, common symptoms include:

• pain or burn when urinating.
• a white, yellow, or greenish discharge from the penis
• painful or swollen testes

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Most women with gonorrhea do not have symptoms or do not notice them. If they
occur, they can include:
• pain or burning when urinating.
• vaginal discharge
• vaginal bleeding between periods or during sexual intercourse.

Herpes

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as herpes, is a common infection that can cause
painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not
curable.

Two Types of Herpes Simplex Virus

(HSV-1) mostly spreads by oral contact and causes infections in or around the mouth
(oral herpes or cold sores). It can also cause genital herpes. Most adults are infected
with HSV-1.

(HSV-2) spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes. Most people have no
symptoms or only mild symptoms. The infection can cause painful blisters or ulcers that
can recur over time. Medicines can reduce symptoms but can’t cure the infection.

HIV/AIDS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune
system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of
the disease.

HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system. This makes it
easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections, and some cancers.
HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk,
semen, and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by kisses, hugs or sharing food. It can also
spread from a mother to her baby.

HIV can be treated and prevented with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Untreated HIV can
progress to AIDS, often after many years.

The disease spreads more easily in the first few months after a person is infected, but
many are unaware of their status until the later stages. In the first few weeks after being
infected people may not experience symptoms. Others may have an influenza-like
illness including:
• fever
• headache
• rash
• sore throat
The infection progressively weakens the immune system. This can cause other signs and
symptoms:
swollen lymph nodes
• weight loss.
• fever
• diarrhea
• cough
Without treatment, people with HIV infection can also develop severe illnesses:
• tuberculosis (TB)
• cryptococcal meningitis
• severe bacterial infections
• cancers such as lymphomas and Kaposi's sarcoma

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2. Unintended Pregnancy and Abortion

Key Facts

• Abortion is a common health intervention. It is safe when carried out using a

method recommended by WHO, appropriate to the pregnancy duration and by
someone with the necessary skills.
• Six out of 10 of all unintended pregnancies end in an induced abortion.
• Around 45% of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97% take place in developing
countries.
• Unsafe abortion is a leading – but preventable – cause of maternal deaths and
morbidities. It can lead to physical and mental health complications and social
and financial burdens for women, communities, and health systems.
• Lack of access to safe, timely, affordable, and respectful abortion care is a
critical public health and human rights issue.

Global estimates from 2010–2014 demonstrate that 45% of all induced abortions are
unsafe. Of all unsafe abortions, one third were performed under the least safe
conditions by untrained persons using dangerous and invasive methods.

Developing countries bear the burden of 97% of all unsafe abortions. More than half of
all unsafe abortions occur in Asia, most of them in south and central Asia. In Latin
American and Africa, the majority (approximately 3 out of 4) of all abortions are unsafe.
In Africa, nearly half of all abortions occur under the least safe circumstances.

Each year, 4.7–13.2% of maternal deaths can be attributed to unsafe abortion. In

developed regions, it is estimated that 30 women die for every 100 000 unsafe
abortions. In developing regions, that number rises to 220 deaths per 100 000 unsafe
abortions. Estimates from 2012 indicate that in developing countries alone, 7 million
women per year were treated in hospital facilities for complications of unsafe abortion.

Physical health risks associated with unsafe abortion include:

• incomplete abortion (failure to remove or expel all pregnancy tissue from the
uterus)
• hemorrhage (heavy bleeding)
• infection.
• uterine perforation (caused when the uterus is pierced by a sharp object); and
• damage to the genital tract and internal organs because of inserting dangerous
objects into the vagina or anus.

3. Sexual Dysfunctions

Generally, it is estimated that between 8% and 33% of the adult population in

developed countries experience some kind of sexual dysfunction in their lifetime,
although some studies suggest that the true figure may be higher (Laumann et al.,
1999).

Sexual problems include low sexual desire, male erectile dysfunction, an inability to
achieve orgasm, premature ejaculation, pain during intercourse, and vaginismus. These
concerns are relatively common, but they are seldom diagnosed or treated in public
sector services. It is only recently that the etiological and epidemiological factors have
been explored in any depth, with most research focusing on erectile dysfunction in
men.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm
enough for sex.

Having erection trouble from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. If
erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-
confidence, and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an

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erection can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and
a risk factor for heart disease.

Causes:

In many cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical. Common causes

include:

• Heart disease
• Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high
insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol.
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Certain prescription medications
• Tobacco use
• Peronei’s disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis
• Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
• Sleep disorders.
• Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate.
• Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord.
• Low testosterone

4. Sexual Violence

• Sexual and other forms of gender-based violence include rape, coerced sex,
child sexual abuse, sexualized forms of domestic violence, intimate partner
violence, and forced prostitution. Sexual violence can be directed at women or
men, girls or boys, and any group in a position of vulnerability. While it takes
multiple forms, the most common is violence towards women by men who are
known to them, particularly their partners and husbands, but also other family
members. “Intimate partner violence” includes acts of physical aggression,
psychological abuse, sexual coercion (including rape), and a range of
controlling behaviors (WHO, 2005).

• Violence can be an important factor in unwanted pregnancy, in the acquisition

of STIs including HIV, and in sexual dysfunction. Forced sex, both vaginal and
anal, can potentially increase the risk of HIV transmission because of the resulting
abrasions and injuries. Studies show that sexual abuse early in life can lead to
increased ill-health in adulthood. This is partly because of increased sexual risk-
taking, such as having early first sex, multiple partners, and participating in sex
work of various kinds.

5. Physical Disabilities

• A variety of physical disabilities can affect sexual functioning and have a

negative impact on sexual wellbeing, through the profound effect they have on
interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, and body image. These physical
disabilities include neurological disabilities such as spinal cord injury, stroke,
multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy. The sexual needs and
expressions of people with these disorders are often ignored because there is a
perception that they are not – or should not be – sexually active.

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5 Domains in Addressing Reproductive and Sexual Issues

1. Laws, Policies and Human Rights

• Work to change political structures that do not recognize sexual health

concerns, or HIV- and sexuality-related stigma.
• Work to create political support for sexual health issues and interventions.
• Promote dialogue about sexual health at all political levels from grass roots to
national leadership, including religious and community leaders.
• Publicize the efforts of leaders who work to promote sexual health.
• Develop a strong evidence base to identify best practices in relation to sexual
health and promote commitment to them.

2. Education

• Incorporate promotion of rights, diversity and gender equality into teacher-

training curricula Increase access to comprehensive, choice-based sexuality
education in schools.
• Promote sexuality education for the most vulnerable, including young people
who do not attend school.
• Promote equality within sexual partnerships and challenge and condemn
violence.

3. Socio-cultural

• Promote equality and responsibility in relationships.

• Challenge discrimination based on sexual and gender diversity.
• Recognize the positive role that men can play in improving women’s health.
• Promote cultural practices that improve sexual health (e.g. early discussions of
sexuality and sexual health).
• Engage influential community leaders (e.g. religious leaders) in debate to
promote awareness of public health imperatives of addressing sexual health
issues.

4. Economic

• Promote economic empowerment and alternative livelihood strategies for

vulnerable groups (e.g. women, sex workers, young people, migrants, and LGBT
who leave home).
• Promote economic development that favors economic improvement and
opportunity for women and girls.

5. Health

• Increase access to sexual health services and resources, especially for the most
vulnerable.
• Improve quality of sexual health care by implementing non stigmatizing, rights-
based approaches to service provision.
• Encourage religious leaders to challenge HIV- and AIDS related stigma and
social and gender issues that are harmful to health within communities.

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 University of Baguio
Assumption Road, Baguio City 2600

Gender and Society

Topic: Gender Equality

Objectives:

1. Describe with clarity the UNICEF proposition on Gender Inequality

2. Recognize the efforts of United Nations in establishing the Sustainable Goals on
Gender Equality.
3. Employ various concepts related to Gender Equality in understanding Women
Empowerment as UN Declared Human Right.
4. Express one’s views on the Philippines’ position on gender equality.
5. Display enthusiasm in participating in discussion session relative to Gender Equality.
6. Distinguish one concept in gender equality with gender inequality as an issue
proposition.
7. Initiate discourse and be able to support one’s proposition with ones
knowledge on the subject matter.

Gender Equality

Gender equality means that the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of individuals
will not depend on whether they are male or female, handicapped or able bodied,
young, or elderly, white, or black, or from rural or urban settings.

Gender equality is the state in which access to rights or opportunities is unaffected by

gender. It’s not only women who are affected by gender inequality—all genders are
impacted, including men, trans and gender-diverse people. This in turn impacts
children and families, and people of all ages and backgrounds.

Equality in gender does not mean that women and men will have or need the exact
same resources, but that women’s, men’s, trans people, and gender-diverse people’s
rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on their assigned gender at
birth.

Examples of Gender Equality

A. Equality at Home

On average, women around the world do three times as much unpaid work at home
as men, including household work and caring for children and family members, and
many of these women also work full-time or part-time careers. Gender equality in this
example would look like splitting up at-home work as evenly as possible between all
genders of a household, so that the burden of taking care of the home and family is not
solely on women.

B. Equal Pay for Equal Work

The pay gap between men and women remains strong throughout the world,
especially for women who are mothers or caretakers. Gender equality in the workforce
means being paid the same salary for equal work, regardless of gender. It also means
that if a woman takes time off from work to take maternity leave, for example, she will
not be punished when she returns to work. She will still be considered for the same
promotions, pay raises and career opportunities that she would have been given had
she not taken the necessary time off to care for her family.

C. Zero Tolerance for Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Bias

Whether in the workplace, within a religious group, at a community center or any other
group setting, people of all genders deserve to feel safe and be free of bullying and
microaggressions, sexual harassment and prejudice based on gender. A society that

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appreciates and upholds gender equality does not allow for offensive comments,
harassment, etc., to be tolerated in any form.

D. Equality in School

In the educational field, both sexes continue to focus on traditional gender roles which
strongly steer and reduce their choices of education, occupation, and life concepts,
thus reinforcing the male norms in society, the unequal power relationship of the sexes,
the sex-segregation of the labor market, the sex-specific allocation of family
responsibilities, the violence against girls and women.

Bearing in mind that the principles of "parity" and pluralist democracy should be
respected as the basis of individual identity and integrity and human rights and that
human resources will be the most important factor in future structural change and
development, the report suggests an integration of both the gender dimension and the
cross-cultural dimension in education as norms actively promoted with a gender-
sensitive approach.

Issues about Gender Equality

1. Gender Bias in Education

An estimated 130 million girls will never set foot inside a classroom. This not only means
that they’ll lose out on opportunities for better futures, but that the same will happen to
their own children. Children of mothers who complete basic primary education
generally have better access to quality education and healthcare themselves. These
are two of the basic building blocks of an empowered community. Child marriage, lack
of adequate sanitation (especially for girls who are of menstruating age), and
gendered violence in the classroom are some of the obstacles specific to girls when it
comes to this very basic human right.

2. The Gender Pay Gap

Ensuring that women not only earn the same salaries as their male counterparts but also
get the same access to economic independence boosts economies. It also means that
other basic needs, like healthcare, education, and adequate food and water, are
more likely to be available for the whole family.

3. Gender Disparities in Agriculture

Reports show that women have less access to critical tools and resources like fertilizer,
seeds, training, and farm labor. Even when they receive equal access to these
resources, it often doesn’t lead to equality of income. As the primary caretakers of
children, women struggle to get their goods to market, particularly in rural areas.
Reduced harvests and access mean reduced income, which is even more damaging
because women tend to reinvest their earnings back into their families and their
community. When women don’t earn as much, everyone loses.

4. Poor Access to Healthcare

It isn’t surprising that people living in poverty have less access to quality healthcare. But
it’s not just a symptom of poverty; it’s also a cause of poverty. This is particularly true for
women and girls, as gender inequality contributes to high levels of female mortality.
Each day, almost 1,000 women die from preventable complications related to
pregnancy and childbirth. The chronic absence of healthcare, combined with the
ongoing, unnecessary loss of so many women result in massive negative impacts on
families and communities. Children of sick mothers are less likely to access healthcare
themselves, and older children are usually forced to drop out of school to take care of
younger siblings and contribute to the household.

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5. Child Marriage and other forms of Gender-based Violence

According to UNICEF, today more than 700 million women were married before they
turned 18. More than a third of that number — about 250 million — were married before
the age of 15. Compare that to 156 million boys married before the age of 18, and it’s
clear that child marriage affects girls much more than boys. Girls who marry young are
less likely to receive a complete or quality education, and child brides often suffer from
higher discrimination, violence, and increased maternal mortality rates.

Forced and early marriage is one of many forms of violence against women and girls.
This includes sexual violence, female genital mutilation, trafficking, and honor killings. All
forms of gender-based violence (GBV) contribute to the belief that men and women
can be treated differently, based on gender stereotypes that vary from culture to
culture. While these harmful practices remain in place, the rights of women will continue
to be tied up with the false belief that these forms of violence are part of the norm and
acceptable.

Benefits of Gender Equality

1. Economic Equality

When all genders receive equal job opportunities, society benefits. Studies show a
diverse workplace is a more productive workplace, and this diversity includes gender
diversity. This success in the workplace translates into the economy, as well. When equal
job opportunity is given to all genders, poverty rates are reduced, communities are
uplifted, and a nation’s GDP is significantly improved.

2. Improved Education

Gender equality in education benefits every child within the school system. Girls who
receive an education have a higher likelihood to be healthier and more productive,
earning higher incomes and building better futures for their families. This in turn
contributes to a stronger economy that benefits all genders and leads to better health
within a community. According to UNICEF, when a girl receives a secondary education,
her lifetime earnings dramatically increase, the national growth rate rises, child
marriage rates decline, child mortality rates decline, maternal mortality rates fall and
child stunting drops.

3. Better Health

Studies show gender inequality has a negative impact on many health outcomes,
including regarding family planning, maternal and child health, nutrition, pandemic
disease and more. When health systems are transformed to provide equal access to
health care for all genders, studies show there are better health outcomes, including
reduced depression and PTSD, reduced mortality rates, better self-rated health, and
reduced alcohol consumption.

What is UNICEF doing to promote gender equality?

• Reducing inequality strengthens economies and builds stable, resilient societies

that give all individuals – including boys and men – the opportunity to fulfil their
potential.

• UNICEF builds partnerships across the global community to accelerate gender

equality. In all areas of their work, they integrate strategies that address gender
specific discrimination and disadvantages.

• This means partnering with national health sectors to expand quality maternal
care and support the professionalization of the mostly female front-line
community health workforce.

• It means promoting the role of women in the design and delivery of water
sanitation and hygiene (WASH) ecosystems.

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 • And it means working with the education sector to ensure girls and boys thrive in
their learning and find pathways to meaningful employment.

• For adolescent girls especially, UNICEF invests in skills building to further their
economic empowerment – as entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. We focus
on providing learning environments at a time and place that suit girls’ individual
circumstances.

• UNICEF also works on assistive technologies for girls with disabilities, and on the
expansion of digital platforms, vocational training, and apprenticeships.

• Supporting girls’ pathway from education to employment requires more than

learning opportunities. It requires keeping girls safe from all forms of violence, in
and out of school.

• Targets initiatives to prevent and respond to gender-based violence help end

child marriage, eliminate female genital mutilation, provide safe spaces, support
menstrual health management, deliver HIV and AIDS care, meet psychosocial
needs and more.

• They invest in innovative models that protect even the hardest-to-reach girls –
like virtual safe spaces and apps that allow them to report violence and connect
to local resources for support. (UNICEF, Gender Equality)

How to Promote Gender Equality in the Community

• Share the household chores.

• Notice signs of domestic violence.
• Scold chauvinist and racist attitudes.
• Equal opportunities in public participation.
• Listen and reflect.
• Zero tolerance to any form of harassment
• Provide trainings for both men and women.
• Be kind and always be considerate to others.

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 University of Baguio
Assumption Road, Baguio City 2600

Gender and Society

Topic: Republic Act 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004

Objectives:

1. Be familiar with the provision of R.A. No. 9262

2. Distinguish the salient features of the above-cited laws.
3. Apply the provisions of the said by making judgment on cases analyzed and
assessed.

Republic Act 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004

• Republic Act 9262 was signed on May 8, 2004, by then President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo, with full support of women’s rights and feminist groups. Also
known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (VAWC) of
2004, RA 9262 charges tougher penalties for abusive husbands and men and the
declaration of the State’s valuation to “the dignity of women and children and
guarantees full respect for human rights” (Sec. 2).

• It is a law the seeks to address the prevalence of violence against women and
their children (VAWC) by their intimate partners like their husband or ex-husband,
live-in partner or former live-in partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, or ex-boyfriend/ex-
girlfriend, dating partner or former dating partner.

What is Violence Against Women and Their Children under RA 9262?

It refers to any act or a series of acts committed by an intimate partner of which results
in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering or economic
abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment, or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty. Intimate partners refer to the following:

• against a woman who is his wife, former wife.

• against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating
relationship.
• against a women with whom he has a common child.
• against her child whether legitimate or illegitimate within or without the family
abode.

What are the acts of violence which are covered under R.A. 9262?

R.A. 9262 covers several acts of violence, which are:

Physical Violence – acts that include bodily or physical harm

causing/threatening/attempting to cause physical harm to the woman or her child,
placing the woman or her child in fear of imminent physical harm.

Sexual Violence – the acts which are sexual in nature committed against a woman or
her child. It includes, but is not limited to:
• Rape and any forms of sexual harassment.
• acts of lasciviousness
• treating a woman or her child as a sex object.
• making demeaning and sexually suggestive remarks.
• physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim’s body.
• forcing him or her to watch obscene publications and indecent shows or forcing
the woman or her child to do indecent acts and/or make films.
• forcing the wife and mistress/lover to live in the conjugal home or sleep together
in the same room with the abuser.
• Causing or attempting to make the woman or her child to perform sexual acts
by use of force, threats, intimidation directed against the woman, her child, or
her immediate family.
 • Prostituting the woman or her child.

Psychological Violence – Acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or

emotional suffering of the victim which includes, but is not limited to the following:
Controlling or restricting the woman’s or her child’s movement or conduct
Threatening to or depriving the woman or her child of custody or access to her/his
family.
• Depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her child of a legal right.
• Causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the
woman or her child, e.g. repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of
financial support or custody or minor children or denial of access to the woman’s
child/children
• Threatening or inflicting physical harm on oneself for the purpose of controlling
the woman’s actions or decisions.
• It includes causing or allowing the victim to witness the physical, sexual, or
psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the victim belongs, or
to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to
unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and/or visitation of
common children.
• Causing substantial emotional or psychological distress to the woman or her
child:
• Stalking or following the woman or her child in public or private places.
• Peering in the window or lingering outside the residence or the woman or her
child.
• Entering or remaining in the dwelling or on the property of the woman or her
child against her/his will.
• Destroying the property and personal belongings or inflicting harm to animals or
pets of the woman or her child.
• Engaging in any form of harassment or violence

Economic Abuse – Acts that make or attempt to make a woman financially dependent
upon her abuser, which includes, but is not limited to the following:
• Preventing the woman from engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation,
business, or activity except in cases wherein the other spouse/partner objects on
valid, serious, and moral grounds as defined in Article 73 of the Family Code.
• Controlling the woman’s own money or property; or solely controlling the
conjugal or common money/properties.
• Destroying household property.

Terms used as defined in RA 9262

“Children” refers to those below eighteen (18) years of age or older but are incapable
of taking care of themselves as defined under Republic Act No. 7610. As used in this
Act, it includes the biological children of the victim and other children under her care.

Dating Relationship” is a situation wherein the parties live as husband and wife without
the benefit of marriage or are romantically involved over time and on a continuing
basis during the relationship. A casual acquaintance or ordinary socialization between
two individuals in a business or social context is not a dating relationship.

Battered Woman Syndrome

It refers to a scientifically defined pattern of psychological and behavioral symptoms

found in battered women because of a long history of abuse.

RA 9262 acknowledges that women who have retaliated against their partner or who
commit violence as a form of self-defense may have suffered from Battered Woman
Syndrome (BWS). Any victim who suffers from BWS should be diagnosed by a Psychiatric
expert or a clinical psychologist. This will also help the victim in obtaining a just decision
in her case. The law does not allow the offender to have custody of minor children.
Their care is entrusted to the woman even if she is found to have BWS.
Warning Signs of Battered Woman Syndrome

• withdrawing and making excuses not to see friends or family or do activities they
once did (this can be something the abuser is controlling)
• seeming anxious around their partner or afraid of their partner
• having frequent bruises or injuries they lie about or can’t explain.
• having limited access to money, credit cards, or transportation
• showing an extreme difference in personality
• getting frequent calls from a significant other, especially calls that require them
to check in or make them seem anxious.
• having a partner who has a temper, becomes jealous easily, or is very possessive.
• wearing clothing that could be hiding bruises, like long-sleeve shirts in the
summer.

Who are the persons protected by R.A. 9262?

The law recognizes the unequal relations between a man and a woman in an abusive
relationship where the woman is usually at a disadvantage. The following are the
persons who are protected by R.A. 9262:

• Wife
• Former Wife
• A woman with whom the offender has or had sexual relations with
• A woman with whom the offender has a common child with
• The legitimate or illegitimate child of the woman within or without the family
abode

Does RA 9262 also protect the welfare of men?

No. VAWC has been primarily meant for the protection of women and children. It
cannot be used by men to charge their wives or partners. You may file a complaint or
case under the Revised Penal Code.

Revised Penal Code

The Revised Penal Code contains the general penal laws of the Philippines. First
enacted in 1930, it remains in effect today, despite several amendments thereto. It
does not comprise a comprehensive compendium of all Philippine penal laws. The
Revised Penal Code itself was enacted as Act No. 3815, and some Philippine criminal
laws have been enacted outside of the Revised Penal Code as separate Republic Acts.

What are the penalties for committing VAWC?

Offenders proven in court to be guilty of the crime shall be penalized with imprisonment
ranging from 1 month and 1 day to 20 years payment of P100,000 to P300,000 in
damages mandatory psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.

What is a protection order?

• A protection order is an order issued under this act for the purpose of preventing
further acts of violence against women or her child. And granting other relief as
may be needed. The relief granted under a protection order serve the purpose
of safeguarding the victim from further harm, minimizing any disruption in the
victim’s daily life, and facilitating the opportunity and ability of the victim to
independently regain control of her life. The provisions of the protection order
shall be enforced by law enforcement agencies.
What are the various kinds of protection orders?

The various kinds of protection orders are:

• Barangay Protection Orders (BPO) refer to the protection order issued by the
Punong Barangay ordering the perpetrator to desist from committing acts under
Section 5 (a) and (b) of R.A. 9262. BPO shall be effective for 15 days.

• Temporary Protection Orders (TPO) refers to the protection order issued by the
court on the date of the filing of the application after ex parte determination
that such order should be issued. The court may grant in a TPO any, some or all
the reliefs mentioned in R.A. 9262 and shall be effective for thirty (30) days. The
court shall order the immediate personal service of the TPO on the respondent
by the court sheriff who may obtain the assistance of law enforcement agents
for the service.

• Permanent Protection Order (PPO) refers to the protection order issued by the
court after notice and hearing. The court shall not deny the issuance of
protection order based on the lapse of time between the act of violence and
the filing of the application. PPO shall be effective until revoked by the court
upon application of the person in whose favor it was issued.
 University of Baguio
Assumption Road, Baguio City 2600

Gender and Society

Topic: Senate Bill No. 689 (Anti-Discrimination Act)

Senate Bill No. 689

• This bill was introduced by Senator Francis N. Pangilinan as “an act prohibiting
discrimination based on SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AND
EXPRESSION (SOGIE) and providing penalties.

• The State recognizes the fundamental right of every person, regardless of sex,
age, class, status, ethnicity, color, disability, religious and political beliefs, sexual
orientation, or gender identity, to be free from any form of discrimination. It shall
therefore intensify its efforts to fulfill its duties under international and domestic
laws to respect, protect and fulfill the rights and dignity of every individual.

Definition of Terms

Discrimination

• It refers to any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on the

grounds of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, hereinafter
referred to as "SOGIE," and has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the
recognition, access to, enjoyment, or exercise by all persons on an equal footing
of all rights and freedoms. For purposes of this provision, the actual sex, sexual
orientation, or gender identity of the person subjected to discrimination shall not
be relevant for the purpose of determining whether an act of discrimination has
been committed.

Gender Expression

• It refers to the outward manifestations of the cultural traits that enable a person
to identify as male or female according to patterns that, at a particular moment
in history, a given society defines as gender appropriate.

Gender Identity

• It refers to the personal sense of identity as characterized, among others, by

manner of clothing, inclinations, and behavior in relation to masculine or
feminine conventions. A person may have a male or female identity with the
physiological characteristics of the opposite sex.

Stigma

• It refers to the dynamic devaluation and dehumanization of an individual in the

eyes of others which may be based on attributes that are arbitrarily defined by
others as discreditable or unworthy and which result in discrimination when
acted upon.

Communities Vulnerable to Discrimination and Abuse based on SOGIE (Sec.4)

• Indigenous Groups
• Youth
• People with Disabilities
• LGBTQIA+ community
• People with various beliefs

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Discriminatory Practices under SOGIE Bil (Sec.5)

1. Promoting and encouraging stigma in media, educational books, and other medium,
inciting violence and sexual abuse towards people.

2. Include SOGIE, as well as the disclosure of sexual orientation, in the criteria for hiring,
promotion, transfer, designation, work assignment, reassignment, dismissal of workers,
and other human resource movement and action, performance review and in the
determination of employee compensation, career development opportunities, training,
and other learning and development interventions, incentives, privileges, benefits or
allowances, and other terms and conditions of employment.

3. Refusal or expulsion of people from educational institutions and academic

qualifications based on SOGIE

4. Impose disciplinary sanctions, penalties harsher than customary or similar

punishments, requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions that infringe on the rights of
students.

5. Impose disciplinary sanctions, penalties harsher than customary or similar

punishments, requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions that infringe on the rights of
students based on SOGIE.

6. Refuse or revoke the accreditation, formal recognition, registration, or plan to

organize of any organization, group, political party, institution, or establishment, in
educational institutions, workplaces, communities, and other settings.

7. Deny a person access to public or private medical and other health services open to
the public, as well as access to public and private health insurance.

8. Deny a person access to or the use of establishment, facilities, utilities, or services,

including housing, open to the public.

9. Subject or force any person to undertake any medical or psychological examination

to determine or alter the person's SOGIE without the expressed approval of the person
involved, except in cases where the person involved is a minor and below the age of
discernment in which case prior approval of the appropriate.

10. Subject any person, natural or juridical, to profiling, detention, or verbal or physical
harassment based on SOGIE. Profiling, detention, or verbal or physical harassment
based on SOGIE by members of law enforcement agencies, including the military,
police, and immigration.

11. Subject a person to any other similar acts that shall have the effect or purpose of
impairing or nullifying the enjoyment, recognition, and exercise of a person's human
rights and fundamental freedoms.

Administrative Sanctions

• Willful refusal of a government official whose duty is to investigate, prosecute, or

otherwise act on a complaint for a violation of this Act to perform such a duty
without a valid ground shall constitute gross negligence on the part of the official
and shall be subjected to pertinent administrative sanctions.

Penalties

Any person who commits any discriminatory practice shall, upon conviction, be
penalized by a fine of not less than PI00,000.00 but not more than P250,000.00 or
imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, subject to the
discretion of the court.

In addition, the court may impose upon a person found to have committed any of the
prohibited acts the rendition of community service in terms of attendance in human
rights education's familiarization with and exposure to the plight of the victims. Nothing

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in this Act shall preclude the victim from instituting a separate and independent action
for damages and other affirmative reliefs. The penalties provided shall be without
prejudice to the imposition of administrative liability for government officials and
employees.

Government Agencies addressing SOGIE-related Cases

• Philippine National Police (Women and Children’s Desk)

• Civil Service Commission
• Department of Labor and Employment
• Commission on Human Rights

Programs to Promote Nondiscrimination and Diversity

Social Protection Programs

The national government shall ensure that communities vulnerable to stigma and
discrimination based on SOGIE are integrated into government-run social protection
programs.

Diversity Programs and Policies

All government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, private

companies, public and private educational institutions, and other entities shall establish
diversity programs to ensure human rights violations and violence based on SOGIE are
prevented. They should also create an internal redress mechanism to address cases of
discrimination and develop administrative remedies or sanctions for such cases. Public
institutions shall incorporate these programs into existing gender and development
programs.

Information and Education Campaign

All government agencies and instrumentalities are mandated to develop and

implement SOGIE-specific gender sensitivity education and information dissemination.
They shall endeavor to produce and publish information and education campaign
materials on gender and human rights.

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