Magna Carta of Women
On August 14, 2009, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9710, also known as the Magna Carta of Women.
Under the law, the “National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women” would be renamed the “Philippine Commission on Women”. It will give way to the creation of the Gender Ombudsman under the Commission on Human Rights that will specifically handle women’s rights concerns. The law will also provide penalties for the violation of the provisions of the magna carta.
Features of the law include:
- Review amendment or repeal of laws that are discriminatory to women.
- Ensure women’s equitable participation and representation in government, political parties, international bodies, civil service, and the private sector.
- Afford equal opportunities to women in relation to education, employment, livelihood, social protection, and others, and including women in the military.
- Mandate access to information and services pertaining to women’s health.
The Magna Carta of Women guarantees the rights of women, including farmers and rural workers, informal sector workers and the urban poor, indigenous women, and those with disabilities, as well as older women and girls. These guarantees rights that include those involving food security, affordable and secure housing, employment, the recognition and preservation of cultural identity, and to women’s inclusion in discussions pertaining to development and peace issues.