Relevant Laws on Gender and Society (PDF)

Relevant Laws on Gender and Society CEDAW and Magna Carta for Women  The Philippine Commission on CEDAW Women (PCW) plays a crucial role in promoting and implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in...

Relevant Laws on Gender and Society CEDAW and Magna Carta for Women  The Philippine Commission on CEDAW Women (PCW) plays a crucial role in promoting and implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in the Philippines.  CEDAW, adopted by the United Overview of Nations in 1979 and effective from CEDAW September 3, 1981, is often referred to as the "International Bill of Rights for Women." The Philippines signed CEDAW on July 15, 1980, and ratified it on August 5, 1981, becoming the first ASEAN country to do so. As of May 2015, 189 states have ratified the Convention.  CEDAW is founded on three core principles: Key Principles 1. Non-discrimination: Aims to eliminate of CEDAW discrimination against women in all fields and holds both state and non-state actors accountable for violations. 2. State obligation: Mandates that states respect, protect, promote, and fulfill human rights, ensuring due diligence in preventing and addressing discrimination. 3. Substantive equality: Focuses on correcting systemic inequalities through affirmative actions and enabling conditions to achieve equal outcomes for women in various sectors  The Philippines also ratified the Optional Mechanisms for Protocol to CEDAW on November 12, 2003, Implementation which allows individuals and groups to seek s redress for violations through two mechanisms: Communication procedure: Enables individuals to submit petitions directly to the CEDAW Committee. Inquiry procedure: Allows the Committee to investigate serious and systematic abuses of women's rights  The Philippine government has made Legislative strides in aligning national laws with Framework CEDAW. The Commission on Human and Rights (CHR) acts as the coordinating Challenges agency for CEDAW implementation, and various legislative measures have been adopted to promote gender equality.  However, challenges persist, including: Gender-based violence: Reports indicate an Legislative increase in violence against women, often Framework exacerbated by socio-economic factors and and inadequate legal protections. Economic disparities: Women continue to face Challenges unemployment and wage gaps, particularly in rural areas, and are often overrepresented in the informal economy, limiting their access to social security and healthcare. Access to reproductive health: Issues related to reproductive rights remain contentious, with local government policies sometimes restricting access to modern contraceptives, as highlighted by the inquiry into Executive Order No. 003 in Manila.  The PCW's efforts in advocating for Conclusion CEDAW's principles are crucial for advancing women's rights in the Philippines. While significant progress has been made, ongoing challenges necessitate sustained commitment and action from both the government and civil society to ensure the realization of gender equality and the protection of women's rights across all sectors.  asiapacific.unwomen Sources: dswd.gov ohchr pcw.gov Republic Act 9710 The Magna Carta of Women  The Magna Carta of Women (MCW) is a General comprehensive women's human rights law in Introduction the Philippines that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women through the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and promotion of their rights, especially those belonging to marginalized sectors of society. It is the local translation of the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) Key Features of the Law  Prohibits discrimination against women in Rights and all forms Empowerment Guarantees substantive equality of men and women Provides for equal access and elimination of discrimination in education, scholarships, and training Ensures non-discriminatory and non- derogatory portrayal of women in media and film Gives equal status to men and women on land titling and issuance of stewardship contracts and patents  Increases the number of women in third Special level positions in government to achieve Provisions 50-50 gender balance within 5 years Provides 2 months fully paid leave for women employees who undergo surgery caused by gynecological disorders Prohibits expulsion, non-readmission, and discrimination of women students and faculty due to pregnancy out of marriage  Mandates the government to ensure Government substantive equality of men and women Responsibilitie Requires the government to review, s amend or repeal existing laws that are discriminatory towards women Establishes mechanisms to promote coherent implementation of the MCW and related laws Mandates government offices to adopt gender mainstreaming as a strategy for implementing the law  The MCW has led to significant strides in Conclusion female involvement in leadership positions and improvements in women's health outcomes in the Philippines since its enactment in 2009. However, more work remains to be done to fully eliminate gender inequalities in the country  pcw.gov Sources socioeco.org