Beneficiality (affirmative)

If a heart is in a state of irreparable despair and agony, why refrain from excising
it? Do not linger with those who have shattered you.
Ladies and gentlemen, board of judges, good afternoon.
The proposition is not only about the misogynistic human rights abuses or about
the glaring spousal violence between partners, but rather this is all about
establishing freewill as self-determination of one's own fate.
As the beneficiality speaker of the affirmative side, I have no doubt in mind that
the dissolution of marriage act of 2023 must be enacted as this will be beneficial to
avert the existing cases of marital abuses and an avenue for social and economic
growth of married women and the children alike.
With that being said, we firmly believe that the following points render the bill
beneficial.
On to my first point,
1.Effectuating Divorce bill preempts the cases of domestic abuse and marital
discord owing to infidelity.
Domestic violence is a grave issue that affects countless individuals and
families in our society. It is essential to acknowledge that divorce can serve as
a protective measure for victims of domestic violence, providing them with
an opportunity to escape abusive relationships and create a safer environment
for themselves and their children.
As stated by article ll, section 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the
State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for
human rights. The Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710)
recognizes the right of women to be free from violence, which includes
domestic violence. By denying individuals the option of divorce, we may be
infringing upon their fundamental rights and failing to protect them from
harm.
While the Constitution recognizes the importance of marriage as an
institution, it is crucial to acknowledge that not all marriages are healthy or
conducive to a safe environment. The Family Code of the Philippines, under
Article 36, already provides for the declaration of nullity of marriages that are
psychologically incapacitating or void from the beginning. However, this
provision does not address situations where marriages have deteriorated over
time, leading to domestic violence.
International human rights treaties and conventions, such as the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), emphasize the
importance of protecting individuals from violence. The passage of the
Divorce Bill aligns with these international commitments and demonstrates
our commitment to upholding human rights standards and protecting the
violence that is being inflicted on Filipino women who are trapped in
unhealthy marriages.
Second points your honors,
2. Divorce increases labor force participation among married women as a result of
long term social and economic stability.
Recent studies have shed light on the relationship between divorce and women's
labor force participation, revealing compelling insights into the transformative
effects of divorce on women's lives. A study published in the Journal of Marriage
and Family in 2016 analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth
and found that divorced women were more likely to participate in the labor force
compared to their married counterparts. Divorce often compelled women to seek
employment as a means of achieving financial independence and supporting
themselves and their families.
Furthermore, research conducted by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in
2019 using data from the British Household Panel Survey corroborated these
findings. The study revealed that divorce was associated with an increase in the
probability of women participating in the labor force, particularly among those
with children. Divorce provided women with the impetus to enter or re-enter the
workforce, enabling them to pursue career advancement and economic stability.
Hence, the evidence presented today highlights the positive impact of divorce on
women's labor force participation and overall well-being. By embracing divorce as
a means of achieving financial independence and stability, we can empower
women to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
We pointed out that,