At the outset, it is crucial to surmise why equality and

discrimination are recurrent issues of our civilized society. In other

words, why do we bother to question the status quo? We ask and
appropriately so because of the notion of rights, and primordial to all
rights are the so-called human rights. Under Article 1 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, all human beings are free and equal in
dignity and rights. The international recognition that human rights are
universal and inalienable

For the longest time, womens participation in civil and political

affairs have been subdued by a majority of patriarchal constructs. Only
fairly recently that we see them rising to the occasion that they were
meant to equally occupy with men. To date, there remains to be a wide
disparity between the two. We are privy of countries that still do not allow
women the right of suffrage.

Philippine Constitution
1987

ARTICLE XIII: WOMEN

Section 14.

The State shall protect working women by providing safe and

healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions,
and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and
enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation.

Magna Carta of Women

R.A. No. 9710
2008

Signed into law by Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Sen. Pia Cayetano, main author
Renamed the National Commission on the Role of Women1 into
Philippine Commission on Women
1 Created by the late President Ferdinand Marcos.
 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women
1979

International Bill of Womens Rights

Defines "discrimination against women
Lays out the state parties obligation to accord women the rights,
protection, and opportunities available to every member of society

Rights Protected:
1. Protection from all forms of violence, including those committed by
the State
2. Protection and security in times of disaster, calamities, and other
crisis situations
3. Participation and representation
4. Equal treatment before the law
5. Equal access and elimination of discrimination against women in
education, scholarships, and training
6. Equal participation in sports
7. Non-discrimination in employment in the field of military, police and
other similar services
8. Non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayal of women in media
and film
9. Comprehensive health services and health information and education
10. Leave benefits
11. Equal rights in all matters relating to marriage and family relations

Penalties for violations

Women in Development and Nation Building Act

R.A. 7192
1991

NEDA, responsible agency for ensuring the participation of women as

recipients in foreign aid, grants and loans

Rights Protected:
 1. Equality in capacity to act legal age
To borrow and obtain loans and execute security and credit
arrangements under the same conditions as men;
Equal access to all government and private sector programs
granting agricultural credit, loans and nonmaterial resources
and shall enjoy equal treatment in agrarian reform and land
resettlement programs;
Equal rights to act as incorporators and enter into insurance
contracts;
Equal rights to those of married men in applying for passports,
secure visas and other travel documents, without need to secure
the consent of their spouses.
In all other similar contractual relations, women shall enjoy
equal rights and shall have the capacity to act which shall in
every respect be equal to those of men under similar
circumstances.

2. Equal membership in clubs public purpose

3. Admission to military schools

Equal opportunities for appointment, admission, training,
graduation, and commissioning

4. Voluntary Pag-Ibig, GSIS, and SSS coverage

Married persons who devote full time to managing the
household and family affairs shall, upon the working spouses
consent, be entitled to voluntary PAG-IBIG (Pagtutulungan -
Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya at Gobyerno), Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS) or Social Security System (SSS)
coverage to the extent of one-half (12) of the salary and
compensation of the working spouse. The contributions due
thereon shall be deducted from the salary of the working
spouse.

Family Code
Husbands and wives are given the same rights and obligations. However, it
still provides that in case of conflict as to the fixing of the family domicile,
parental authority over the person and property of their children, the
husband's decision shall prevail. The wife may seek recourse from the
courts which is tedious, expensive and an impractical process.
Proclamation No. 227
Womens Role in History Month
March, 1988

Proclamation No. 224

Womens Week, every first week of March
March 8, Womens Rights and International Peace Day

R.A. No. 8369

Family Courts Act of 1997
k) Cases of domestic violence against:

1) Women - which are acts of gender based violence that results, or

are likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to
women; and other forms of physical abuse such as battering or threats and
coercion which violate a woman's personhood, integrity and freedom
movement