As an additional input to the Mandela Rules, Atty. Cienna May Juyo presented the Bangkok Rules. Prior to this, she gave a context of the legal instrument and explained the role of CHR as a Gender Ombud. Below are the important points raised during her presentation: • Atty. Juyo opened her presentation by explaining that the focus group discussion that was conducted during the morning session is part of the bigger role that CHR is tasked to do as a Gender Ombud. She explained further that CHR recognizes the fact that women in detention facilities are among the most vulnerable sector of the society. Given so, the Bangkok Rule was crafted to equalize and empower women. • The role of CHR as a Gender Ombud is defined in RA 9710. Atty. Juyo explained that as gender ombud, CHR is tasked to: Ø Advocate of womens right Ø Assist in vawc cases Ø Investigate violations Ø Monitor govt compliance Ø Recommend policy reforms • The UN Bangkok Rules or the United Nations’ Rules for the Treatment of Female Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders was crafted because it is crucial to protect the rights of women offenders and prisoners; it also seeks to address the different needs that women have and the different situations they come from; and to address the needs of parents in prison with their children; • As a policy, the Bangkok Rules apply to: Ø Women under arrest awaiting trial (pre-trial detention) Ø Women prisoners serving sentence Ø Women subject to non-custodial measures and non-custodial sanctions (post-convictions) Ø Women offenders subject to corrective measures Ø Women detained under protective custody • Atty. Juyo also emphasized how the Madela Rules supplements the Bangkok Rules: o Women and men should be detained in separate facilities: Rule 11(a). o Women’s institutions should provide specific accommodation for pre- and post-natal care and treatment: Rule 28. o The decision on whether children are accommodated in prison with their parent should be based on the best interests of the child. Provision needs to be made for childcare facilities and healthcare services for children: Rule 29. 28