LANDMARK LEGISLATION CALLS FOR WOMEN’S EQUAL PARTNERSHIP IN NATION-BUILDING
PHILIPPINES , News 05-04-2009

A landmark legislation that seeks to protect Filipino women from all forms of gender discrimination has been introduced to the Senate plenary session, a crucial stage in the process of enacting it into law.

Also referred to as Magna Carta of Women, the proposed legislation is envisioned as the omnibus law to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and to recognize, respect, protect, fulfill and promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms of women. Specifically, it enumerates the rights of marginalized women, such as the right to food security and productive resources; right to housing; right to decent work; right to employment, livelihood, credit, capital and technology; right to education and training; right to representation and participation; and right to information and social protection.

The passage of this landmark legislation will enable the Philippines to strictly comply with the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Violence Against Women. As signatory to this Convention, the Philippines is compelled to give life to the provisions of the Convention by incorporating them into the Philippine legal system. “The Philippines should intensify its efforts to ensure the fundamental freedoms and rights of women, especially in the marginalized sectors of society, and to guarantee their economic, social and cultural well-being without distinction or discrimination on account of class, age, sex, language, ethnicity, religion, ideology, disability, education and status,” Ms. Myrna Yao, chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, said in a statement. Shown in photo are advocates of the Magna Carta of Women who recently visited the Senate to lobby for the passage of the proposed legislation. Seated from; left are: National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women Executive Director Emmeline Verzosa; Pilipina Executive Committee Member Remedios Rikken and Pilipina Chairperson Rina David; and Senators Maria Consuelo Madrigal, Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano.