In recent years, trafficking in the Philippines has taken a disturbing turn as perpetrators use digital tools to recruit their victims. What was once happening mainly in remote brothels and through physical recruitment is now happening online, behind screens, under usernames, and in encrypted messages. This shift marks a dangerous Read more
In a country where over 97 million individuals are connected to the internet, the digital platforms have become more than just tools for connection, they are now a vital part of everyday life. But beneath the ease and entertainment they offer lies a growing danger: sextortion, a disturbing and often Read more
Online gender-based violence (OGBV) refers to acts of harm, harassment, and discrimination that are perpetrated through or amplified by digital technologies and disproportionately impact women, LGBTQIA+ people, and other marginalized genders. As digital engagement grows in the Philippines, so does the scale, intensity, and complexity of such harm. Since 2012, Read more
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the Internet have transformed the lives of many Filipinos across the world. The advancement of these technologies revolutionized the way we socialize and transact business, but most especially, how we gather and receive information. For women and gender-diverse groups, ICTs and the Internet have given them Read more
As a global leader in social media usage, the Philippines’ environment of pervasive disinformation, paired with a culture of patriarchal gender constructs, foster democratic backsliding and authoritarianism (Kunze et al., 2021). With the country’s low level of media literacy, Filipino people are especially vulnerable to the threats brought by internet Read more
The Philippines has had a total of 17 presidents. Out of these, 15 have been men. For much of its history, men have led the government, perpetuating the stereotype that men should hold control. Recent election data shows that women only hold about 28% of seats in the House of Read more
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences examines violence against women and girls as a form, cause and consequence of prostitution. It is a breakthrough report that is harmonious with the UN Protocol on Trafficking 2000, the ACTIP 2015, and our own Read more
Violence against women and girls is an alarming issue that occurs within and beyond the online sphere. The rapid evolution of technology may often mean progress and convenience, but existing digital tools have also lent themselves to the proliferation of online gender-based violence (OGBV). Though violence targeting one’s gender is Read more
The CEDAW Shadow Report: Duterte-Marcos Legacy to Marginalized Women (2023) highlights the experiences of women in the marginalized sectors–women with disability, women living with HIV/AIDS, women migrant workers, indigenous people (IP) women, and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women (LBT) women–under the authoritarian regime where sexism, gender biases, gendered disinformation and Read more
The CEDAW Shadow Report: Voices, Choices, Participation and Access to Justice: Weaving the Girl Child’s Experience (2023) highlights the experiences of marginalized girls–indigenous girls, girls with disabilities, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LBT) girls and girls from rural communities–under a continuum of gender-based violence and discrimination, leading to girls’ experiences of Read more