As delivered PHILIPPINES CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN Geneva, Switzerland 5 July 2016 OPENING STATEMENT H.E. Ambassador (Mrs.) CECILIA REBONG Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva and Head of the Philippine Delegation Madam Chairperson Yoko Hayashi; Vice Chairpersons Barbara Bailey, Naela Gabr, and Dalia Leinarte; Committee Country Rapporteur Ms Ismat Jahan; Other members of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; Representatives from the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, the non-government and civil society organizations from the Philippines who are with us in this chamber today: Good morning to all of you. I am Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, and I head the Philippine delegation in this constructive dialogue with the Committee. Page 1 of 16

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