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Magna Carta of Women
Magna Carta of Women
9710)
The various existing laws and policies to empower and protect women, and ensure equal rights and
opportunities for men and women, have been strengthened further with the enactment of Republic Act No.
9710, otherwise known as The Magna Carta of Women.
The Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2396 and House Bill No. 4273, was finally passed by the
Senate and the House of Representatives on May 19, 2009 and May 20, 2009, respectively. It was signed into
law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on August 14, 2009.
Full text of R.A. 9710 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (from the PCW website)
Salient provisions
Women’s rights are human rights - “All rights in the Constitution and those rights recognized under
international instruments duly signed and ratified by the Philippines, in consonance with Philippine law, shall
be rights of women under this Act to be enjoyed without discrimination.” (Section 8)
“All local government units shall establish a Violence Against Women’s Desk in every barangay to ensure
that violence against women cases are fully addressed in a gender-responsive manner.” (Section 9C)
Further, women in the military, police and other similar services shall be entitled to leave benefits such as
maternity leave, as provided for by existing laws.” (Section 15)
Special leave privileges - “A woman employee having rendered continuous aggregate employment service of
at least six (6) months for the last twelve (12) months shall be entitled to a special leave benefit of two (2)
months with full pay based on her gross monthly compensation following surgery caused by gynecological
disorders.” (Section 18)
Gender and development (GAD) budget - “The cost of implementing GAD programs shall be the agency’s or
the local government unit’s GAD budget which shall be at least five percent (5%) of the agency’s or the local
government unit’s total budget appropriations.” (Section 36A)
Source: 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