topic 16

Philippine Laws Affecting Women

• The 1987 Constitution recognizes women's role in nation-building and ensures equality before the law.
• It mandates women's representation in the legislature through the party-list system (20% of lower house).
• The state protects working women by providing safe, healthy conditions, enhancing welfare, and enabling them to reach full potential.

Key Laws Promoting Gender Equality

• Local Government Code (1991): Provides for sectoral representation (including women) in local councils.
• Party List Law: Allows women-oriented parties to run in the party-list system.
• Labor Code (1989): Prohibits discrimination against women in employment, mandates special facilities, and prohibits discrimination based on marriage.
• Women in Nation Building Law (RA 7192, 1991): Promotes women's full participation in development, mandates gender-responsive budgeting (5%-30% of official development funds).
• Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (1988): Grants women land ownership rights.
• RA 7688 (1994): Provides representation for women in the social security commission.
• Anti-Sexual Harassment Law (RA 7877, 1995): Outlaws sexual harassment in the workplace, education, and training.
• RA 7882 (1995): Aids women in micro and cottage businesses.
• RA 8533 (1997): Expands the definition of rape.

National Programs for Gender Equality

• Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (1995-2025): Consolidates action commitments from the Beijing World Conference on Women.
• Gender and Development (GAD) budget: Aims to mainstream gender concerns in development, mandates allocation of 5% (increasing to 30%) of government budgets for gender-responsive activities.
• Framework Plan for Women (FPW): Focuses on economic empowerment, protecting human rights, and gender-responsive governance.

Women's Right to Participate

• Women gained the right to vote in the Philippines in 1937 (after a national plebiscite).
• Early women's movements and activism played significant roles in the push for this right.
• Women have actively participated in politics and elections since then, though societal factors often influenced these actions.

Women's Involvement in Civil Society

• Women's groups (e.g., PILIPINA, GABRIELA, UKP, KILOS KABARO, SIBOL) advocate for women's issues, lobbying for legislation on issues like domestic violence, prostitution, reproductive health, and sexual harassment.
• Their actions are in partnership with other civil society groups.

Women and Education

• Elementary and secondary education is free, compulsory.
• There is generally no gender discrimination in education, though gender stereotypes in fields of study remain.
• Women's responsibilities in housework and family can limit their participation in the workforce.