List of laws protecting women in

PH


MANILA -- As the government recognizes the role and influence of women in the
Philippines, many laws have been crafted to guarantee their protection and well-
being, may it be in work or household.

And in light of the National Women’s Month celebration, here is a list of laws
covering Filipino women’s rights in the Philippines:

105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law

Signed into law on February 2019 by President Rodrigo Duterte, Republic Act
11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law extends the previous 60-day (78
days for caesarian section delivery for women workers in the private sector) paid
maternity leave to 105 days.

The law also entails an option to extend for an additional 30 days of unpaid
leave. Additional 15 days paid maternity leave shall also be granted to female
solo parents.

Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women

RA 6725 prohibits discrimination with respect to terms and conditions of

employment solely on the basis of sex.

Under this law, any employer favoring a male employee over a female in terms of
promotion, training opportunities, and other benefits solely on account of sex is
considered discrimination.

Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004

RA 9262, or An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their Children,

Providing Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefor and for
Other Purposes, recognizes the need to protect the family and its members
particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal
safety and security.

Under this law, the state also recognizes the need to protect the family and its
members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their
personal safety and security.

Assistance for small-scale women entrepreneurs

This law seeks to provide all possible assistance to Filipino women in their
pursuit of owning, operating and managing small business enterprises.

RA 7882, or the act that states the Provision of Assistance to Women Engaging
in Micro and Cottage Business Enterprises, and for other purposes, was
approved in February 1995.
Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

RA 7877 addresses the issue of sexual harassment committed in employment,

education or training environment. It was signed into law on February 14, 1995,
under former President Fidel Ramos' administration.

Sexual favors made as a condition in the employment or granting promotions or

privileges; or the refusal to grant the sexual favor results in limiting, segregating
or classifying the employee which in any way would discriminate, deprive or
diminish employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect is punishable
by law.

The Anti-Rape Law of 1997

RA 8353 states that any person having carnal knowledge of a woman through
force, threat, or intimidation or by means of fraudulent machination or grave
abuse of authority will be punished.

Depending on the severity of the case, the offense may be punishable reclusion
perpetua or life imprisonment.

Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998

RA 8505 declares the policy of the State to provide necessary assistance and
protection for rape victims.

The government shall coordinate its various agencies and non-government

organizations to work hand in hand for the establishment and operation of a rape
crisis center in every province and city that shall assist and protect rape victims
in the litigation of their cases and their recovery.

Magna Carta of Women

RA 9710 is a comprehensive women's human rights law that seeks to eliminate

discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and promotion of
the rights of Filipino women, especially those belonging in the marginalized
sectors of the society.

It conveys a framework of rights for women based directly on international law.

Pursuant to this law is Executive Order 273 that states the approval and
adoption of Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development, 1995-2025.

National Women's Day

RA 6949 declares the eighth day of March every year as a special working
holiday.

This ensures meaningful observance of the holiday, where all heads of

government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and
controlled corporations as well as local government units, and employers in the
private sector shall encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for
their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the
premises of their respective offices or establishments to celebrate National
Women's Day.  (PNA)
Republic Act 9710
Magna Carta of Women
The MCW is a comprehensive women's human rights law that seeks to eliminate
discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfilment and promotion of the rights of
Filipino women, especially those belonging in the marginalized sectors of the society. It
conveys a framework of rights for women based directly on international law.

The MCW establishes the Philippine government’s pledge of commitment to the Convention

on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women's (CEDAW) Committee in
its 36th Session in 2006 and to the UN Human Rights Council on its first Universal Periodic
Review in 2009.  It is the local translation of the provisions of the CEDAW, particularly in
defining gender discrimination, state obligations, substantive equality, and temporary
special measures. It also recognizes human rights guaranteed by the international Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Salient features of the law include:

 Increasing the number of women in third level positions in government to achieve a

fifty-fifty (50-50) gender balance within the next five years while the composition of
women in all levels of development planning and program implementation will be at
least 40 percent;

 Leave benefits of two (2) months with full pay based on gross monthly compensation
for women employees who undergo surgery caused by gynecological disorders,
provided that they have rendered continuous aggregate employment service of at
least six (6) months for the last twelve (12) months;

 Non-discrimination in employment in the field of military, police and other similar

services that include according the same promotional privileges and opportunities as
their men counterpart, including pay increases, additional benefits, and awards,
based on competency and quality of performance.

 Provision for equal access and elimination of discrimination in education,

scholarships, and training. Thus, "expulsion, non-readmission, prohibiting
enrollment, and other related discrimination of women students and faculty due to
pregnancy out of marriage shall be outlawed.
  Non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayal of women in media and film to
raise the consciousness of the general public in recognizing the dignity of women
and the role and contribution of women in family, community, and the society
through the strategic use of mass media;

 Equal status given to men and women on the titling of the land and issuance of
stewardship contracts and patents.

In addition to guaranteeing substantive rights, the MCW establishes the responsibility of the
government to take actions in order to end discrimination against women. It provides that
the Philippines government must "ensure the substantive equality of men and women" and
mandates the State to take steps to review, amend or repeal existing laws that are
discriminatory towards women.

The Government, in its entirety, shall fulfill these duties through the development and
implementation of laws, policies, regulatory instruments, administrative guidelines, and
other appropriate measures. It shall also establish mechanisms to promote the coherent
and integrated implementation of the MCW and other related laws and policies to effectively
stop discrimination against Filipino women.

The MCW mandates all government offices, including government-owned and controlled
corporations and local government units to adopt gender mainstreaming as a strategy for
implementing the law and attaining its objectives. It also mandates (a) planning, budgeting,
monitoring and evaluation for gender and development, (b) the creation and/or
strengthening of gender and development focal points, and (c) the generation and
maintenance of gender statistics and sex-disaggregated databases to aid in planning,
programming and policy formulation.
 Women's Rights in the
Philippines: A List of Laws
Protecting Women and
Mothers
Did you know that it’s Women’s Month? In this light, read up on the laws that
protect and support women and mothers in the Philippines.

 Do you know the laws that protect women’s rights in the

Philippines? In the light of Women’s Month this March, we compiled
a list of laws (Republic Acts) that have been signed which protect
and support women and mothers in the Philippines.  Read about the
newly signed law on breastfeeding in a separate article.  
 
RA 6725
(April 27, 1989)An Act Strengthening the Prohibition on
Discrimination Against Women with Respect to Terms and
Conditions of Employment, Amending for the Purpose Article One
Hundred Thirty-Five of the Labor Code, As Amended
 
RA 6972
(November 23, 1990)An Act Establishing a Day Care Center in Every
Barangay Instituting Therein a Total Development and Protection of
Children Program, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other
Purposes
 
RA 7192
(December 11, 1991)An Act Promoting the Integration of Women as
Full and Equal Partners of Men in Development and Nation Building
and for Other Purposes  
 
RA 7322
(March 30, 1992)An Act Increasing Maternity Benefits in Favor of
Women Workers in the Private Sector, Amending for the Purpose
Section 14-A of Republic Act No. 1161, as Amended and for Other
Purposes  
 
RA 7600
(June 17, 1992)An Act Requiring All Government and Private Health
Institutions with Obstetrical Services to Adopt Rooming-in and
Breastfeeding Practices and for Other Purposes  
 
RA 7688
(March 3, 1994)An Act Giving Representation to Women in Social
Security Commission Amending for the Purpose Section 3(A) of
Republic Act 1161, as Amended  
 
RA 7822
(February 20, 1995)An Act Providing Assistance to Women Engaging
in Micro and Cottage Business Enterprises, and for Other Purposes
 
RA 8353
(September 30, 1997) – this includes marital rapeAn Act Expanding
the Definition of the Crime of Rape, Reclassifying the Same as a
Crime Against Persons, Amending for the Purpose Act No. 3815, as
Amended, Otherwise Known as the Revised Penal Code, and for
Other Purposes  
 
RA 8369
(October 28, 1997)An Act Establishing Family Courts, granting Them
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction Over Child and Family Cases,
Amending Batas Pambansa No. 192, as Amended, Otherwise Known
as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, Appropriating Funds
Therefor and for Other Purposes
 
RA 9262
(March 8, 2004) An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their
Children, Providing Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing
Penalties Therefor and for Other Purposes