CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6 On violence against women “The Committee expressed its deep concern about deficiencies in the legal system with regard to violence against women, in view of the fact that incest and domestic violence are not specifically penalized by the law and are surrounded with silence.” (Paragraph 20)… “The Committee strongly urged the Government to enact appropriate legislation to combat violence against women and to compile the relevant data.” (Paragraph 27) 29. The adoption of the Anti-Violence against Women Act, including the Anti-Trafficking Act, were jointly committed by the executive and legislative branches of government during the National Socio-Economic Summit in 2001. 30. Also during the Summit, the president tasked NCRFW to strengthen its oversight function on violence against women (VAW). In this connection, NCRFW created the VAW Coordinating Committee (VAWCC), which is responsible for systematizing and synchronizing services and assistance to VAW victims and survivors, and for gathering data and systematizing data generation on VAW and domestic violence. 31. In the past two years, waging a 16-day campaign on gender-based violence resulted in the passage of laws penalizing violence against women such as Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The government also adopted laws penalizing rape and sexual assault in 1997, creating family courts (Family Courts Act of 1997), establishing crisis centers nationwide and providing assistance to and protection of rape victims and survivors (Rape Victims Assistance Act of 1998). Please see Article 6 for full discussion of the aforementioned laws. 32. Interventions under FPW. The FPW has the objective to “promote gender-responsive delivery of justice to VAW survivors.” a. To achieve this, the FPW offers the following strategies: (i) developing or strengthening institutional mechanisms for VAW, (ii) enhancing gender sensitivity and responsiveness in the criminal justice system, (iii) putting up or upgrading existing facilities to become more women-friendly, and (iv) strengthening or expanding counseling and awareness-building program for victims and abusers. b. Meanwhile, the interventions include (i) advocacy for the passage of anti-VAW legislation; (ii) awareness raising sessions for court officials and staff; (iii) integration of gender principles in court protocols and standards for delivery of justice; (iv) upgrading or installation of survivor-sensitive facilities; (v) VAW counseling training and awareness sessions for community- and hospital-based counselors; (vi) capacity building program on gender-sensitive case handling for court social workers, judges and police; (vii) formation and capacity building of staff of Women’s and Children’s Protection Units in 44 hospitals; (viii) enhancement of the quality of services provided by Women’s Desks at police stations and similar places; (ix) establishment of Rape Crisis Centers; and (x) setting up of standards for the humane treatment of women in detention and in especially difficult circumstances. 22