Court of Appeals - Committee on Human Resources, Gender and Development

10/10/2026

The Court of Appeals joins in the celebration of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, with the theme "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voice, Real Change.”

Mental health remains deeply intertwined with gender-based disparities. Out of the 15 million solo parents recorded in the Philippines, a striking 95% are women, and 90% of solo parent beneficiaries nationwide are female. These figures highlight that mental health is fundamentally a gender issue.

The constant strain of balancing financial support with domestic care leaves solo mothers facing heightened risks of mental distress. These silent challenges compound, eroding the overall health, resilience, and quality of life of both the mothers and the children under their care.

We urge everyone to take proactive action: listen without judgment, advocate for gender-responsive mental health initiatives, and extend meaningful support to the solo mothers and families in our workplaces and communities.

If you or someone you know needs professional guidance, assistance, or immediate crisis intervention, support is always available: connect with the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) or contact the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

31/07/2026

The Court of Appeals, through its Gender and Development Committee, joins the nation in observing National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month.

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights. It strips people of their freedom, exploits their vulnerability, and reduces human lives to commodities. Behind every case is a person whose dignity has been violated and whose right to safety and justice must be upheld.

This observance calls on all of us to remain vigilant and to help build a society that protects people from exploitation, supports survivors with compassion, and holds perpetrators accountable. The fight against human trafficking begins with recognizing every person’s inherent worth and refusing to remain silent when that worth is threatened.

No human being should ever be bought. End human trafficking.

23/06/2026

22/04/2026

Raising a child as a solo parent is a brave and fulfilling journey – and solo parents do not need to travel that path alone. Under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2022, the law provides for better protection and more opportunities and benefits for solo parents and their children.

Want to know more about these benefits? This Primer should serve as a quick and helpful guide for everyone to remember.

Solo parents in the work place enjoy Solo Parent Leave (annual 7 days leave with full pay,) flexible working arrangements, and protection against work discrimination. Solo parents and their children enjoy more benefits include automatic PhilHealth inclusion and priority in scholarship programs, financial assistance from DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, and government housing.

To enjoy these benefits, solo parents must make sure to present their solo parent identification card (S**C).

For more information on the application process for the S**C, solo parents can inquire with their local social welfare and development office or visit the Department of Social Welfare Website at https://www.dswd.gov.ph

20/04/2026

The Court of Appeals is one with the country in the celebration of Solo Parents Week.

According to the World Health Organization, there are 15 million solo parents in the Philippines, with 95% being women. With this year’s theme, “Hindi ka Nag-Iisa sa Iyong Pag-Iisa: Yakap at Kalinga para sa Solo Parent”, we recognize and honor every solo parent’s journey – in their daily sacrifices and their resiliency in providing the love and support for their children.

Under Republic Act No. 11861 (the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act), solo parents are given better protection and more benefits, programs, and services once they have acquired their solo parent identification cards (“S**C”). In empowering solo parents and in improving their quality of life, the law recognizes that solo parents and their children must be given more protection and better access to social services.

To know more about these added benefits, tune in to our next post in the Court of Appeals’ Gender and Development Committee Page.