International Mechanism Submissions

Violence against women and children (VAWC) continues in the Philippines, often without efficient redress. It occurs within the home, in schools, and public buildings by State agents. Access to justice is then impeded by various factors such as procedural requirements, inadequate systems, the unwillingness of the State to investigate, and occasional intimidation. 2. House Bill 78 (H.B. 78), the proposed law on divorce, was filed in June 2022 and approved by the House panel in 2023. The bill, however, only allows divorce through judicial proceedings which are lengthy and possibly cost-prohibitive to many Filipino women.