USAID, with its partner The Asia Foundation, trains women as mediators to quickly resolve local family disputes. The mediators can deal with almost all family issues and can often resolve cases amicably in a matter of weeks whereas similar cases before the courts could take years before a decision is reached.

A pilot study conducted by the Philippine Court with the help of the Asia Foundation and USAID showed that over 80 percent of cases referred to mediation by Regional Trial Courts were settled quickly. The training also includes gender analysis for the Village Justice System component of the LADR.

In the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, the LADR project is helping popularize the Code of Muslim Personal Laws by developing primers in local dialects. The Code covers family law and institutions, such as divorce, paternity, succession, inheritance, among others, under the Shari’ah courts which are part of the Philippine judicial system.

The popularization of the Code will definitely increase awareness among Muslims, particularly Muslim women, of their rights and will eventually result in increased access to justice.

Philippine's Program Objectives

Selected Activities

Visit USAID/PHILIPPINES link to the mission
Global Snapshots: Philippines Homepage