SOCIAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING POVERTY, REMAIN OBSTACLES TO WOMEN'S ADVANCEMENT IN PHILIPPINES, WOMEN'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE TOLD

While significant steps had been taken for the advancement of women in the Philippines, the social conditions continued to pose challenges to the Government, the representative of the Philippines told the Committee which monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as he presented his country's third and fourth periodic reports this morning. He said that despite decreasing unemployment and declining poverty, the number of Filipinos living below the poverty line was a serious concern. The Chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women emphasized that women suffered the most from the effects of poverty, which hit rural women particularly hard. Because of scarce job opportunities, many Filipino women were forced to seek employment overseas where they were exposed to exploitation, abuse and maltreatment. The Filipino delegation outlined government efforts to deal with the problem of migrant women workers by providing new employment opportunities in the country and protecting the rights of those who chose to work abroad. In 1994, 60 per cent of deployed overseas Filipino workers were women. Rural women, who migrated to urban areas and foreign lands usually landed low-status jobs as domestics and entertainers and were often subject to abuse and exploitation. There was a considerable lack of data about violence against women, due in part to the unwillingness to report instances of such violence, according to the delegation. Women's efforts had led to draft legislation on rape. However, pending bills on domestic violence were still being stalled in the legislature. In the meantime, a presidential directive had called for all agencies and government officials to educate the public. The delegation drew attention to gradual improvements in women's health and education. They were living longer, marrying at an older age and having fewer children. Women had increased responsibility for the economic upkeep of households and increasing numbers were entering the workforce, however, there were wide gaps in employment conditions and pay between women and men. The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. today to conclude its consideration of the reports of the Philippines.