PoS Department forges partnership with ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights
PASAY CITY – In light of the natural disaster context in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region, as well as the institutional recognition of ASEAN Member States (AMS) on the need to promote and protect women’s human rights from sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in such situations, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) partnered with the Political Science Department of the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) to conduct a Thematic Study on Women Affected by Natural Disasters. This study aims to compile/document and analyze protection and empowerment policies and practices for women under such difficult circumstance. Furthermore, the baseline evidence/results of the study is intended to be used as basis for framing a possible/proposed ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Women in Natural Disaster Contexts through the AICHR and the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and other concerned sectoral bodies.
(L-R) Mr. Chuck Macaspac, Dr. Melissa Lao, Mr. Leo Herrera-Lim
On 06 February 2017, representatives from both parties Mr. Leo Herrera-Lim, Philippine Representative and Chair of AICHR, and Dr. Maria Elissa J. Lao, Chair of the Political Science Department of AdMU, signed the contract for the services of an academic research team in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Pasay City.
The study entails the conduct of desk research and literature review, in-country visits to conduct multi-stakeholders key informant/resource person interviews, the conduct of research consultation/validation workshop, and a qualitative analysis of all data collected. The research team is composed of professors from the Political Science Department – Dr. Maria Elissa Lao, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Veneracion-Rallonza, Dr. Diana Mendoza, Ms. Carmel Abao, and Dr. Liberty Chee, as well as a technical assistant, Ms. Mica Honasan.
Given the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN for 2017, the natural disasters that ASEAN Member States face and their consequences, and the focus on the protection of human rights, this study will truly be valuable in providing baseline data for how ASEAN countries respond to women’s needs in times of disaster and the ways in which they can further improve in their provision of basic services.
