BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei Darussalam, (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III and his Southeast Asian counterparts adopted on Thursday the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Children in the region at the culmination of the 23rd Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit.
ASEAN leaders issued the said declaration bearing in mind the “need for a strengthened holistic and multidisciplinary approach that is responsive to gender and age as well as being sensitive to children,” Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei said in a statement.
“We noted that the Declaration, in recognition of the specific situations of women and children, particularly victims and survivors of violence, indicates the kind of support and services to be provided in ASEAN member states,” it added.
ASEAN leaders also adopted the Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection, which was among the advocacies of President Aquino during his participation in the two-day summit.
It aims to set out principles, strategies, and mechanisms in accordance with the domestic laws and policies of ASEAN member states in ensuring equitable access to services, social welfare and justice, as well as development of social services for all to bring about prosperity in the region.