DSWD and UNFPA Commit to Empowering Women and Girls in the Philippines

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines entered into a significant agreement on Tuesday, aimed at bolstering the empowerment of young girls and adult women, particularly those from the most vulnerable sectors of society.

According to Philippines News Agency, encapsulated in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) set to last for five years, the partnership will focus on promoting gender equality and improving access to services for these groups.

Dr. Leila Joudane, UNFPA Philippines Country Representative, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating during the signing ceremony, “We’re proud to partner with DSWD, a government agency at the forefront of social protection and women and girls’ empowerment. Together, we can reach the most vulnerable and provide critical support and services in the fight against gender-based violence and harmful gender norms.”

The MOU lays out a cooperative framework across five key areas: data generation for informed programming, enhancing the DSWD’s role in emergency situations, supporting gender-based violence (GBV) program implementation, improving service-delivery systems and referral pathways for GBV survivors, and combating discriminatory gender norms or practices through initiatives like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian voiced his strong support for the partnership, highlighting its potential to fortify systems against gender-based violence in the Philippines. “Through this partnership with the UNFPA, we are certain that we will have a stronger system to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in the Philippines. We are thankful to the UNFPA for helping us to promote and uphold the rights of women and children,” he remarked.

UNFPA has pledged to work closely with the Philippine government, convening agencies, and civil society organizations to prevent and respond to GBV through a unified humanitarian-development approach. This includes supporting the DSWD as a co-leader of the GBV sub-cluster, a coordination mechanism involving government and civil society organizations dedicated to addressing GBV in emergencies.

“Ensuring inclusive access to essential and comprehensive SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) and GBV services is central to the UN mission of leaving no one behind. Together with DSWD, we can achieve this by bridging gaps and establishing a reliable referral pathway,” Joudane added.

Furthermore, the UNFPA views the DSWD’s extensive reach and influence through its flagship programs, such as the 4Ps, as an excellent opportunity to advance gender equality and tackle harmful societal norms. The newly signed MOU represents a pivotal step in the nation’s pursuit of its International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Plan of Action commitments and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG 5 on gender equality and SDG 10 on reducing inequalities.