The Magna Carta for Women, also known as Republic Act 9710, is a Human Rights law that aims to end discrimination against Filipino women, particularly those in underprivileged communities. The act was a consolidated Senate Bill No. 2390, with a house bill # 4273, which was passed in the senate and house of representatives on May 19 - 20, 2009. It was signed into law on August 14, 2009, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The women’s provision in Magna Carta includes all the rights in the constitution, such as freedom in civil, social, political, economic, and others. Equal employment opportunities are also given. Not restricting women in military and police service is part of eliminating discrimination against all women, as well as equal opportunities in sports participation.
To safeguard, women against all sorts of assault and ensure their safety in times of crisis and calamity are also stated in the law. Moreover, the law guarantees equitable access to education, scholarships, and training opportunities.
Other laws supporting women at all stages include Republic Act 1120, also known as the "105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law," which increases the Maternity Leave Period to 105 days for female workers with the option to extend for an additional thirty (30) days without pay, and grants an additional fifteen (15) days for solo mothers, and for other purposes. In addition, the Republic Act 11148 is an act about scaling up the national and local health and nutrition programs through a strengthened integrated strategy for maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition in the first one thousand (1,000) days of life, also known as "Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act".
And lastly, the Republic Act 10028, commonly known as the Expanded Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Workplace Act, states that working women must also be protected by the state, which must provide safe and healthy working conditions, considering their maternal responsibilities, as well as facilities and opportunities that will improve their welfare and enable them to reach their full potential in giving services.
These rights supported with policies will safeguard women and support access to quality services and promotes equal opportunities. (KTP/AMVF/NPCRML)
References:
https://car.dole.gov.ph/news/we-make-change-work-for-women/
https://psa.gov.ph/content/q-magna-carta-women-republic-act-no-9710
http://www.csc.gov.ph/2014-02-21-08-16-56/2014-02-21-08-19-19/magna-carta-of-women-r-a-9710.html
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/ra_11210_2019.html
