CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6 experiences, six of which pertain to gender issues and concerns; (b) tri-media campaign by the Women’s Media Circle for the empowerment of young women and girls, which includes a radio program that mixes music with interviews on health and empowerment issues (such as violence and teenage pregnancy), a supplement in one of the leading magazines and printing of publications on the same topics; and (c) multi-media discussion on women, religion and reproductive health by the Women’s Feature Service (WFS) Philippines, a part of an international news agency reporting on development from the women’s perspective with the objective to put women’s issues in mainstream media. From 2000-2002, the WFS conducted a forum called “Body and Soul”, radio and TV talk shows in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and internet fora. With participants representing Muslims, Protestants and Catholics as well as health workers, NGOs, media, government and the academe, the fora tackled contentious topics, such as lesbianism, abortion, adolescent sexuality, family planning, condoms and AIDS, reproductive technology, media and religion, and divorce and family violence. 173. Since 1995, the Women’s Media Circle has created programs discussing women’s issues (such as “Body Talk” and reproductive health for adolescents and women) and gender and development over television (XYZ), radio (XYZone) and magazines (XYZine). Using the theater, the Philippine Educational Theater, an NGO, has staged in various parts of the country two plays on women’s issues, where they encouraged the women and men in the audience to ask questions and share their experiences on situations in their life, in the family, in their place of employment, instances of sexual harassment, job discrimination, role stereotyping, and other gender issues. 174. Women advocates in media and a few advertising firms (such as McCann-Erickson and J&J companies) have begun portraying women in more positive ways. For example, a laundry soap advertisement expounds that women can perform roles other than being housewives. The product also contributes to a fund for women interested in small business. Infomercials during women’s month are shown highlighting the significant roles of women in society. Meanwhile, TV programs, such as “By Demand,” have featured segments on VAW, annulment of marriage, the informal sector and family law. C. REMAINING ISSUES AND CHALLENGES 175. Despite the initiatives and results outlined above, a lot more needs to be done. In terms of eliminating stereotyped roles of women and men, government must ensure that gender reforms in the educational system are continuously pursued through the review of textbooks, instructional materials and school curricula as to their gender-responsiveness. Gender-sensitive ideas (such as shared parenting, reproductive rights and non-violent forms of handling conflict) should be included in textbooks, materials and curricula. At the same time, teachers and school administrators in all levels need more training for a more gender sensitive approach to education so they can act as change agents in modifying socio-cultural patterns that are friendly to women and girl children. 176. There is also a need to have more government programs that will ensure and promote shared responsibility in the upbringing and development of children and more family-friendly policies and measures in organizations. 58