In time for the celebration of the pride month this June, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) published a report detailing the current situation of gender rights in the Philippines, specifically for trans legal recognition. Entitled the “Legal Gender Recognition on the Philippines: A Legal and Policy Review”, the report also gives a full list of recommendations on how further to push for recognition of trans gender rights, including the passage of the or the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
“Even in a country that scores high in the gender equality index, lack of legal recognition of transgender persons in the Philippines heightens their vulnerability to gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination.” said Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit of CHR.
In the current legal framework of the Philippines, Magna Carta of Women recognizes SOGIE as an important sector of society that deserves the protection from all forms of violence and discrimination. In the local level, ordinances that protect LGBT people, from discrimination on the basis of SOGI have been passed in 3 provinces, 12 cities, 1 municipality and 3 barangays. Though these are clear triumphs trans gender rights, more concrete laws and policies with specific implementing rules and regulations need to be in place. SOGIE Equality Bill, which is its third and final reading and is currently being deliberated in the Senate, and the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill (CADB), currently in deliberation in Congress, seek to define, prohibit, and penalize situations and practices of discrimination on the basis of SOGIE as well as promote and protect the rights of LGBTI are important pieces of legislations. “These are two remarkable achievements which if passed and properly implemented, will make a difference in the lives of LGBTI in the Philippines. This in line with meeting the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups that is vital to leaving no one behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.” said Emmanuel Buendia, UNDP Team Leader for Democratic Governance.
Going beyond recommendation for legal reform, the paper also advocates for allocating resources for gender research, awareness activities, and gender sensitivity training, especially for civil servants handling transgender concerns. Know more about the recommendations by downloading a copy of the report here.
“Legal Gender Recognition on the Philippines: A Legal and Policy Review” study is part of a larger regional initiative, jointly implemented by UNDP and the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN), which undertook a comprehensive review of existing laws, policies and practices related to legal gender recognition for transgender people in Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand. The regional study is available here.
Originally published at the UNDP Philippines website and on Medium through Being LGBTI in Asia on June 21, 2018.
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