Republik der Philippinen Botschaft und Ständige Vertretung bei den Internationalen Organisationen in Wien		Repúbliká ng Pilipinas Pásuguán at Pamalagiang Kinatawán sa mga Pangdáigdigang Kalipunán sa Vienna
PRESS RELEASE 03-09		28 April 2009

Philippines Practical Measures to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls
Highlighted, Lauded at UN Crime Commission Side Event

A presentation on the Philippines’ efforts and measures to curb and prosecute violence against women and girls drew praise at the recently concluded 18th Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) held from 16-24 April in Vienna, Austria.

The well-received presentation was delivered by Commissioner Evelyn S. Dunuan of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) during a well-attended side event co-organized by the Permanent Missions of the Philippines, Finland, Thailand, Namibia and Bolivia on the topic “Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Responses to Violence Against Women and Girls”. Delegates expressed admiration at the Philippines’ innovative mechanisms and comprehensive legal regime to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG), in full conformity with the core human rights treaties, relevant UN resolutions, and the Model Strategies and Practical Measures in the Elimination of Violence Against Women in the Field of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice adopted in 1997 by the UN General Assembly. Key Philippine measures cited included the country’s establishment of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC); the implementation of strategic action plans at all levels of government; the creation of Women’s and Children’s Desks in police stations headed by police women, around the country; the recognition of VAW-responsive local governments through a system of special awards; and the active involvement of men programmes to eliminate VAW.

The side event, co-sponsored by 20 other Member States, was organized by the Philippines and its partner-countries to maintain a high degree of awareness within the UN Crime Commission, concerning VAW-related issues. The Philippines and the other countries organizing the event shall soon commence consultations on a possible VAW-related CCPCJ Resolution for the Commission’s next session, in 2010.

A subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the CCPCJ helps develop and review UN policy in the field of criminal justice, rule of law, and promoting action against transnational and national crime.