3. Social justice and human rights Section 21 provides that “The State shall ensure that the fundamental human rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution and relevant international instruments are guaranteed also to indigenous women.” 4. Cultural Integrity Rights to cultural integrity include protection of indigenous culture, traditions and institutions; as well as, rights to religious, cultural sites and ceremonies. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) was established as a result of this act and is assigned to be the government agency that is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs to recognize, protect and promote the rights of ICCs and IPs. Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 – RA 9262 RA 9262 puts value in the dignity of women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights. It recognizes the need to protect the family and its members, particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security. Different types of violence articulated in this law are: physical violence, sexual violence (which includes rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, prostituting women and children, and acts forcing victims to engage in a sexual activity), psychological violence and economic abuse. Section 35 states the rights of women and children who become victims of violence. In addition to their rights under existing laws, they shall have the following rights: • “to be treated with respect and dignity; • to avail of legal assistance from the Philippine Attorney’s Office (PAO) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) or any public legal assistance office; • To be entitled to support services from the DSWD and LGUs; • To be entitled to all legal remedies and support as provided for under the Family Code; and • To be informed of their rights and the services available to them including their right to apply for a protection order.” RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION OF RURAL WOMEN In line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the “Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework” is used as the basis for the recommendations in this report. Furthermore, it integrates the inputs given by the participants at the workshop/forum on how their issues on Business and Human Rights can be addressed to improve their situation. The following are the recommendations: 1. Enforce laws and policies that protect the rights of rural women. The rural women representatives belonging to the IP group asked that the conflict between the IPRA law and the Mining law be resolved. They shared at the workshop that the IP communities count on the IPRA law to protect and preserve their ancestral land, but the corporations also cite the Mining law to allow them to use the land for their operations. They called for the full implementation of the IPRA law to protect their ancestral lands and prevent destruction of their sacred places. In line with this, they 12