UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines is strongly committed to reducing poverty and vulnerability to risks of its citizens in the process of promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, representative to the UN said here on Thursday.
Policies and programs are in place to expand social insurance, improve access to employment and livelihood opportunities and enhance the well-being of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized, Rhodora M. Bucoy, head of the Philippines delegation, told the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
She introduced the country's two new laws -- the Universal Health Care Act and the Expanded Maternity Leave Act -- that were enacted this year to further secure people's interests in social protection.
To address intergenerational poverty, Bucoy said the Southeast Asian country also took measures to guarantee the poor's access to education and health services, improve women's participation in training and promote their engagement in non-traditional jobs.
She also called for more support for women and girls to achieve gender equality in the country.
