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

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

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.

One Billion Rising 2026, with this year’s theme of “Rise for our Bodies, our Earth, and Our Future”, is an invitation for everyone to stand in the name of equality and women empowerment.

One Billion Rising was first launched in 2013, from the unfortunate reality that 1 in 3 women globally (or approximately one billion women) will be subject to gender-based violence during their lifetime.

The Court of Appeals reaffirms its support for this global movement in pursuit of justice that knows no gender.

Together, let’s work towards a reality where no woman is left disenfranchised, no child is left uncared for, and no abuser is left free of accountability.

IMAGINE. DREAM. CREATE

RISE
FOR OUR BODIES.
OUR EARTH.
OUR FUTURE.

To know more about One Billion Rising, you may visit its website at https://www.onebillionrising.org/

19 January 2026

Exploratory Meeting between the Court of Appeals Committee on Human Resources, Gender and Development and the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+Affairs

27 November 2025

Strengthening Judicial Awareness in the Digital Age: Upholding The Anti-Violence Against Women And Their Children Act and Addressing Cyber Libel For A Just And Safe Society

Speaker: Atty. Judie Rose Dimayuga
Topics: RA 9262 and RA 10175

In solidarity with the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, the Court of Appeals held a special screening of TPO (2016) on November 26, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 n.n., at the CA Auditorium.

Organized by the CA Committee on Human Resources, Gender, and Development (HRGAD) and led by the Office of Justice Marietta S. Brawner-Cualing, the activity confronted the stark realities of domestic abuse, reminding us that violence thrives in silence, and that silence is something we must never allow.

In commemoration of World Aids Day, the Committee on Human Resources, Gender and Development held a seminar workshop entitled HIV 101: A Seminar on HIV Awareness. Ms. Aremm Castrillo, HASH Inc. Learning and Advocacy Officer shared her expertise to over 100 Court of Appeals Employees.

The seminar was followed by free HIV testing for Court employees in the afternoon.

In commemoration of World Aids Day, the Committee on Human Resources, Gender and Development is releasing this infographic series tackling notions and misconceptions about HIV.

With the availability of free treatment, PREP medication, and HIV testing, it is best to learn more about HIV to

HIV is NOT a death sentence.
Be part of the fight against discrimination and misinformation.

Sources:

https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/searo/hiv-hepatitis/joint-moph-unaids-who-uu.pdf?sfvrsn=8378cd0_2

https://viivhealthcare.com/about-hiv/living-with-hiv/u-equals-u/ #1

https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2025/february/20250227_u-equals-u

https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive-health/hiv-aids/causes.html
https://loveyourself.ph/list-of-hiv-treatment-hubs-in-the-philippines/ #1628613888123-b1d13fb1-4b19

HASH Inc. Presentation at the Court of Appeals last 1 December 2025
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/causes/index.html

Ocular Visit of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) - Manila Consultant Ms. Virginia Rada at the Court of Appeals Daycare Center.

Technology has transformed how we live, work, and connect with one another. Yet, the same innovations that empower voices and foster connection have also given rise to new forms of harm. In today’s hyperconnected world, acts of violence and discrimination can cross boundaries with a single click.

As a prelude to the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, the Court of Appeals Committee on Human Resources, Gender and Development (CA-HRGAD) seeks to shed light on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), a growing form of abuse that exploits the power of digital platforms to harass, control, and silence.

Each click, post, and message is a choice.

Choose kindness over cruelty, and action over silence, as we strive to end gender-based violence in all its forms.