CEDAW/C/SR.l79
English
Page 4
(Ms. Licuanan)
in prostitution, although other factors were also involved, such as the presence of
large military bases, which hampered efforts to limit prostitution, and the
Government's efforts to promote tourism, which had very high social costs, of which
the Department of Tourism was aware and which it endeavoured to counteract wherever
possible. Psychological factors were also involved, as well as the effects of the
present economic climate.
13.
Regarding question 3, there was no difference between the Ministry of Social
Services and Development and the Department of Social Welfare and Development apart
from the change of name; the Department continued to be the agency charged with
the protection of young prostitutes. Although the success of its programme could
not at present be evaluated, the programme itself was taken very seriously.
However, the Department's resources were extremely limited and were insufficient to
enable it to help all potential clients. The need to find alternative sources of
livelihood as a means of combating prostitution caused the Department additional
problems.
14. With regard to question 4, sanctions varied according to the nature of the
offence but, after the payment of fines or a term of imprisonment, foreigners would
be deported.
15.
The information given under article 2 was also relevant to question 5.
Article 7
16. In reply to question 1, she said that efforts to have women represented in
political forums had not proved very successful. In the executive branch of
government, formal machinery existed in the form of commissions for women, youth,
the urban population, including urban children, the poor and disabled persons.
There were also informal arrangements, with disadvantaged groups being involved in
sectoral or multisectoral consultations with the Government.
17. In reply to question 2, she said that NCRFW had proposed candidates for
political appointments and would continue to do so, in consultation with women's
groups. Nominations had been submitted to the President for Cabinet positions.
Article 8
18. The apparent discrepancy between the figures given in the tables on
and 73 of document CEDAW/C/13/Add.l7 could be explained by the fact that
set of figures referred to women working for the foreign service both at
abroad, whereas the second referred only to women in the foreign service
abroad.
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Article 10
19. In reply to question 1, she said that in the Philippines, unlike in many other
countries, girls were not disadvantaged in education; enrolment and literacy rates
were the same for girls and boys, and girls dropped out of school for the same
reasons as boys, namely because of socio-economic and geographical factors. Thus,
for example, the higher-income urban population had lower drop-out rates. Although
basic education was free, children from poorer families tended to leave school to
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