CEDAW/C/SR.1406
hoped that other sponsors would back it. There was no Government policy that restricted
the marriage rights of persons with disabilities.
50.
Ms. Rebong (Philippines) said that the Government of the Philippines was fully
committed to the implementation of the Convention and looked forward to continued work
with the Committee on behalf of all Filipinos.
51.
Ms. Verzosa (Philippines), thanking the members of the Committee for their
questions, said that the dialogue had suggested ways of improving the implementation of
both the Convention and the Magna Carta of Women and of better responding to the needs
of women and girls in the Philippines. She also wished to thank the civil society
organizations for their important contributions.
52.
As the national agency responsible for implementing the Convention, the Philippine
Commission on Women strived to coordinate and channel all efforts to realize gender
equality, human rights and the empowerment of women and girls. The Commission would
seek to improve its monitoring methods in order to see de facto results of its efforts. It was
difficult to provide time frames for the adoption of laws; the Commission worked with
legislators in the hopes that they would advocate the adoption and amendment of laws.
Some of the recently elected women Senators had worked with the Commission in the past;
the Commission hoped for their continued interest and support. The Committee’s
concluding observations would be shared with all interested persons and agencies.
53.
Ms. Manalo (Philippines) said that although the Government had been slow in
submitting its report to the Committee, the Philippines had not given up fighting to protect
and promote the rights of Filipino women. The dialogue had been fruitful, and the questions
raised had indeed been helpful. She looked forward to rejoining the Committee as a
member in January 2017.
54.
The Chair said that the Committee thanked the State party for its efforts and urged
it to take all necessary measures to address all recommendations set out in the concluding
observations with a view to improving the situation of women in the Philippines.
The meeting rose at 5.25 p.m.
10
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