WeDpro, Inc. Empowering women, youth, and their communities

The following message was delivered by Camilla Hagström, Deputy Head of Operations, European Union Delegation to the Philippines, on the occasion of the WeDpro Launching and Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with Local Government Officials in Angeles City and Olongapo City.

Leaders from government agencies and civil society, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning to all of you! I am very pleased to address you today, and even more pleased that this event is supported by the European Union (EU) through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

I should say that human rights, democracy and the rule of law are core values of the European Union, and are therefore embedded in the EU’s founding treaties. The EU sees human rights as universal and indivisible and is actively promoting them within its borders and in its relations with our partner countries.

The EU’s human rights policy encompasses civil, political, economic and cultural rights. The EU considers the rights of the poor and vulnerable such as women, children and people belonging to minorities as well as displaced persons, requiring special attention in the promotion and protection of human rights. Out of the 8 guidelines adapted to date, the EU has even a set of thematic guidelines dedicated particularly to women and children. These are the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child, and the EU Guidelines on Violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them. Over the last decade, the EU has taken important steps to prevent and combat trafficking and the exploitation of persons, and in particular of women and children. In 2005, the EU also adopted an Action Plan on best practices, standards and procedures for combating and preventing trafficking in human beings. The prevention of and the fight against human trafficking is a significant feature in the relations between the EU and its partner countries. In the next phase of our bilateral cooperation programme with the Philippines, our Governance programme will include efforts on antitrafficking. In implementing EU policies on human rights, we take a two-pronged approach: first, mainstreaming human rights concerns into all our policies and programs, and second, financing specific projects to promote and protect human rights. The WeDpro project, with a grant of €140 120.60 (approximately Php 9.8 Million) - is a reflection of such specific approach. (More project information is provided in the flyers distributed by WeDpro.)

I wish you all the best in the NGO-LGU collaboration towards an improved local cooperation and accountability of all stakeholders in human rights protection and promotion for all Filipinos, today and tomorrow. I look forward to hear about the achievements under this project in the
coming months.

Maraming salamat po! Thank you for your attention.

1-2 December 2009