Philippine Laws on Gender and Society – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of 100 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, laws, concepts, actors, and frameworks related to Philippine gender legislation and advocacy.

Gender and Development (GAD)

A government framework that integrates gender concerns in policies, programs, and projects to promote equality and equity.

CHED Memorandum No. 1, s. 2015

Policy that mandates mainstreaming of Gender and Development in Philippine higher education institutions.

Higher Education Institution (HEI)

Colleges or universities governed by CHED and required to implement GAD initiatives.

Gender-Fair Education

Instruction free of gender bias that promotes equal learning opportunities for all genders.

Curriculum Mainstreaming

Incorporating gender concepts and perspectives into academic programs and syllabi.

Research Mainstreaming

Embedding gender analyses and methodologies in scholarly investigations.

Extension Services

Community outreach programs of HEIs that must integrate gender-responsive goals.

Institutional Development

Internal policies and structures in HEIs designed to support gender equality.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Philippine agency issuing policies like the 2015 GAD memorandum for colleges and universities.

Patricia Licuanan

CHED Chairperson who signed CHED Memo No. 1, s. 2015.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

UN treaty often called the 'Bill of Rights for Women' ratified by the Philippines in 1981.

UN CEDAW Committee

United Nations body that monitors the implementation of the CEDAW treaty.

Ratification

Formal approval of a treaty by a state, making it legally binding domestically.

Philippine Senate

Legislative body that ratified CEDAW without reservation.

Discrimination Against Women

Any gender-based distinction, exclusion, or restriction that impairs women's rights and freedoms.

Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710)

The 2009 comprehensive law recognizing women’s rights as human rights in the Philippines.

Gender-Sensitive Legislation

Laws crafted to address gender inequalities and protect vulnerable groups.

Anti-VAWC Act (RA 9262)

Philippine law addressing violence against women and their children.

1987 Constitution Article II Section 14

Provision stating the State shall ensure fundamental equality before the law of women and men.

Constitutional Commission of 1986

Body chaired by Cecilia Muñoz-Palma that drafted the 1987 Constitution.

Cecilia Muñoz-Palma

Chairperson of the 1986 Constitutional Commission and advocate of gender equality.

Regalado Maambong

Commissioner who supported the inclusion of gender equality in the 1987 Constitution.

Christine Tan

Female Constitutional Commissioner who championed women’s rights provisions.

Women in Development and Nation-Building Act (RA 7192)

1992 law promoting women’s participation in national development and allowing them entry into military schools.

Senator Santanina Rasul

Principal author of RA 7192 and first Muslim woman senator of the Philippines.

Philippine Military Academy (PMA)

Military school opened to women as a result of RA 7192.

Official Development Assistance (ODA)

Foreign aid that RA 7192 requires to include gender-responsive projects.

Gender Mainstreaming

Strategy to integrate gender perspectives in all stages of policy and program development.

Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA)

Global agenda adopted in 1995 to advance women’s rights in 12 critical areas.

Fourth UN World Conference on Women

1995 Beijing gathering that produced the Beijing Platform for Action.

Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani

Leader of the Philippine delegation to the 1995 Beijing Conference.

Violence Against Women (VAW)

Any act of gender-based violence that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm to women.

Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC)

Broader term including violence directed at women and their children, addressed by RA 9262.

Critical Areas of Concern

Twelve priority areas identified by the Beijing Platform for Action to advance gender equality.

GAD Focal Point System

A mandated group in government agencies overseeing gender mainstreaming and budgeting.

Local Government Unit (LGU)

Municipal, city, or provincial entity required to establish GAD Focal Points and allocate GAD budgets.

VAW Desk

Barangay-level office providing assistance to victims of violence against women.

Gender-Responsive Budgeting

Allocation of funds that addresses the different needs and priorities of women and men.

5% GAD Budget Rule

Mandate that at least five percent of an agency’s or LGU’s total budget be used for GAD programs.

Gender Equality

Equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of women, men, and gender minorities.

Gender Equity

Fairness in treatment that may involve different but equivalent actions to achieve equal outcomes.

Human Rights

Universal rights inherent to all humans, forming the basis of gender laws in the Philippines.

Social Justice

Fair distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within society.

Gender Sensitivity

Awareness of and respect for differences between genders and their specific needs.

Gender Minorities

Individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from societal norms.

Gender Justice

Transformative approach ensuring equal treatment and dismantling power imbalances based on gender.

Implementation Gap

Difference between the existence of gender laws and their actual enforcement.

Social Change

Long-term transformation in societal norms required to complement gender legislation.

Advocacy

Active support for a cause; students are encouraged to advocate for gender equality.

Bill of Rights for Women

Nickname for CEDAW due to its comprehensive protections.

Equal Access to Education

Legal guarantee under RA 7192 and RA 9710 that women receive the same educational opportunities as men.

Equal Political Participation

Provision in the Magna Carta of Women ensuring women can engage fully in political life.

GAD Integration

Systematic inclusion of gender perspectives in institutional functions and policies.

Gender Desk Officer

Barangay official tasked to manage the VAW Desk and assist victims.

Gender-Sensitive Curriculum

Academic program designed to eliminate stereotypes and promote gender equality.

GAD Training

Capacity-building workshops that educate staff and students on gender issues.

Gender Analysis

Systematic examination of differences in roles and relations to inform policies.

Gender-Responsive Planning

Designing programs that consider the distinct needs of all genders.

National Machinery for Women

Government structures dedicated to advancing women’s concerns, strengthened by RA 9710.

Sex

Biological attributes distinguishing male, female, and intersex persons.

Gender

Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and identities of individuals.

Equality Before the Law

Principle that no person shall be denied the same legal protection, enshrined in Article II Section 14.

Women’s Empowerment

Process of granting women power and control over their own lives.

GAD Focal Person

Individual designated to coordinate gender programs within an agency or LGU.

Gender Audit

Assessment tool evaluating the extent to which an organization is integrating gender.

Gender-Responsive Procurement

Purchasing policies that favor suppliers promoting gender equality.

Philippine Development Plan

National blueprint that incorporates GAD objectives across sectors.

Functional Equality

Outcome where women and men have equally effective opportunities despite different needs.

Barangay

Smallest administrative division in the Philippines required to maintain VAW Desks.

Shelter and Crisis Center

Facilities expanded due to BPfA to assist survivors of gender-based violence.

Gender-Responsive Monitoring

Tracking progress of programs to ensure they meet gender equality goals.

Gender-Disaggregated Data

Statistics separated by gender for accurate planning and evaluation.

State Obligation

Legal duty of government to respect, protect, and fulfill gender rights under CEDAW.

Mainstreaming in Research

Inclusion of gender variables and perspectives in scientific studies.

GAD Plan and Budget (GPB)

Annual document outlining gender programs and corresponding funds of agencies.

Gender-Responsive Infrastructure

Facilities designed to be safe and accessible for all genders.

Sexual Harassment Codes

Institutional policies required in workplaces and schools to prevent harassment.

GAD Learning Resources

Educational materials developed to teach gender concepts.

Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (PPGD)

Long-term national plan aligning with CEDAW and BPfA goals.

Intersectionality

Framework recognizing overlapping forms of discrimination such as gender and class.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Right under RA 9710 ensuring nondiscriminatory hiring and promotion.

Political Participation Quotas

Measures encouraging women’s representation in elective and appointive posts.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Violence directed at an individual because of their gender or gender expression.

GAD Code

Local ordinance that details an LGU’s gender policies and programs.

Section 36 of RA 9710

Provision mandating allocation of resources for marginalized and rural women.

Gender Equality Seal

Recognition given to institutions demonstrating outstanding GAD implementation.

Gender Transformation

Systemic change altering power relations and social structures to achieve equality.

CEDAW General Recommendations

Authoritative interpretations guiding states on treaty implementation.

Access to Credit

Right under RA 7192 granting women equal opportunity to financial resources.

Gender Stereotype

Widely held but simplified belief about characteristics of men or women.

Feminist Jurisprudence

Legal theory focusing on how laws impact women and gender relations.

GAD Performance Indicator

Metric used to measure success of gender programs.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

Process of assessing progress and effectiveness of GAD interventions.

Gender Budget Tracking

Review of expenditures to ensure funds advance gender equality.

Transformative Equality

Approach that not only provides equal treatment but changes structures that cause inequality.

VAWC Protection Order

Court-issued directive to prevent further violence against women and children.

Survivor-Centered Approach

Response that prioritizes the rights, needs, and wishes of violence survivors.

CEDAW Optional Protocol

Instrument allowing individuals to bring complaints of women’s rights violations before the UN Committee.

Gender Policy

Formal statement outlining an organization’s commitment to gender equality.

Empowerment Measures

Temporary special measures meant to accelerate de facto equality.