Annex 2: GBV-related Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda 1. Strengthening the Provisions of R.A. No. 8353: Amending the Anti-Rape Law. This aims to redefine rape by highlighting the element of lack of consent, removing the requirement that sexual assault be committed by force, and any requirement of proof of penetration. It also recommends that the age of statutory rape be increased from the current 12 years old to at least 16 years old. This would mean that only upon reaching 16 years old that a person can be legally deemed mature enough to give sexual consent to another person. In addition, the repeal of the forgiveness clause is recommended so that the subsequent valid marriage of the offended party and offender would not extinguish the latter’s liability. 2. Amending/Repealing the Revised Penal Code provisions on Adultery and Concubinage. The proposed legislative measure targets the amendment or repeal of Articles 333 and 334 in the Revised Penal Code in order to change the definitions of adultery and concubinage. Although these both refer to marital infidelity, the burden of proof is greater for the wives because of the disparity of the crimes’ definitions and the penalties thereof. 3. Ensuring Women’s Equal Rights in Marriage and Family Relations. In amending Articles 14, 96, 124, 211 and 225 of the Family Code of the Philippines, spouses shall have equal rights with respect to their ability to provide parental consent to marry, administer their community property or conjugal partnership, exercise parental authority over the person and legal partnership over the property of common children will be removed. 4. Recognizing Sexual Abuse and Focusing on the Violence and Abusive Conduct as Grounds for Legal Separation. This proposed amendment gives the rationale in amending the Family Code by focusing on the violence and abusive conduct as grounds for legal separation as well as recognizing sexual abuse. Currently, under Article 55 of the Family Code, only when the physical violence is “repeated” and the abusive conduct is “gross” can the woman cite these acts as causes in filing for legal separation. Through this measure, the focus will be on the acts committed and not on the severity or instances of the violence and abuse. 5. Enacting the Anti-Prostitution Law. By amending Articles 202 and 341 of the Revised Penal Code. Prostitution which promotes sexual exploitation and violence against women will be recognized as a human rights violation. The recommendations highlights curbing the demand side of prostitution and treating women in prostitution not as criminals but victims, and criminalizing those who exploit people in this illicit trade, and establishing support mechanisms for prostituted persons so they can get out of prostitution. 6. Upholding the Right to Life and Security of Spouses and Daughters by Repealing Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code. The proposed legislation’s objective is to repeal Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code which exempts a spouse or parent who inflicts harm or even death upon the other spouse or minor daughter caught having sexual intercourse with another person. This view is based on honorbased violence, which is committed against 103 2019 Annual Report Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012