Introduction
The Commission on Human Rights is an independent constitutional body with the primary
function of investigating and monitoring all forms of human rights violations in the Philippines.
The CHR monitors State compliance with international human rights instruments.
Further, the Magna Carta of Women of 2009 (MCW) has provided for the CHR’s mandate to
function as the Gender Ombud. As the Gender Ombud, the CHR must protect and promote the
rights of all marginalized sectors of women in the Philippines. Consistent with this mandate, the
CHR is tasked to monitor implementation of the MCW and undertake protection, investigation,
monitoring, and promotion of rights of women with particular attention to rights of
marginalized groups of women.
Towards this end, the CHR Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center (GEWHRC)
conducted four consultations in rural and urban areas in the country in 2017 to surface issues
faced by girl children as well as disseminate information on the rights of girl children.
Since its creation, the GEWHRC has collaborated with civil society organizations and recognized
their efforts to promote women’s human rights including the conditions of girl children in the
country.
As a continuing effort to address the human rights situation of girl children, the CHR puts
forward this document. This document aims to provide an overview of the human rights of girl
children, guaranteed by international and domestic legislations; surface some of the issues and
human rights violations experienced by girl children in the Philippines, and offer ways forward
to uphold and promote human rights of girl children.
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