#Balance for Better!

leGAlly SpeAkING

ThE Philippines is described as a nation of strong women, who directly or indirectly run the family unit, businesses, government agencies, and in recent years the highest positions in the three separate and coequal branches of the government.

Indeed, institutional empowerment of women in the Philippines goes as far back to 1975 under President Ferdinand E. Marcos with the establishment of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (now the Philippine Commission on Women), the primary policy-making and coordinating body of the women and gender equality concerns under the Office of the President. Subsequent presidents, likewise, recognized the role of women in nation building: (1) President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino issued Proclamation 227 (1988) “Providing For the Observance of the Month of March as ‘Women’s Role in History Month’” and Republic Act 6949 (1990) “Declaring March 8 of Every Year as a Working Special Holiday to be known as National Women’s Day.” President Cory is also credited for her Philippine Development Plan for Women; (2) President Fidel V. Ramos established the Gender and Development Budget; (3) President Joseph “Erap” E. Estrada had a Philippine Agenda for Women Empowerment; (4) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo saw

the enactment into law of the Magna Carta on Women and the Framework Plan for Women.

Despite the landmark achievements by way of legislation and government policy, there still is a glaring disparity between the fulfillment of women’s needs, on the one hand, and the services and protections afforded to women by the State. The United Nations 2019 Theme for Women’s Month is “Better the Balance, Better the World” (#Balance for Better). We have a long way to go for our women. March being Women’s month, allow me to quote Section 2 (Declaration of Policy) and Section 3 (Principles of Human Rights of Women) under Republic Act 170 (August 14, 2009) “The Magna Carta of Women”:

“Section 2. Declaration of Policy—Recognizing that the economic, political, and sociocultural realities affect women’s current condition, the State affirms the role of women in nation building and ensures the substantive equality of women and men. It shall promote empowerment of women and pursue equal opportunities for women President Duterte has three years to go. We have seen the President’s political will in dealing with his war against drugs and in his crusade against corruption. Is it too much to hope that his attitude toward women would change? Perhaps, his policy advisers would want to read the Magna Carta on Women and give him the proper advise, rather than laugh at or forever apologize for his misogynistic remarks. and men, and ensure equal access to resources and to development results and outcome. Further, the State realizes that equality of men and women entails the abolition of the unequal structures and practices that perpetuate discrimination and inequality. To realize this, the State shall endeavor to develop plans, policies, programs, measures, and mechanisms to address discrimination and inequality in the economic, political, social, and cultural life of women and men.

“The State condemns discrimination against women in all its forms and pursues by all appropriate means and without delay the policy of eliminating discrimination against women in keeping with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and other international instruments consistent with Philippine law. The State shall accord women the rights, protection and opportunities available to every member of society.

“The State affirms women’s rights as human rights and shall intensify its efforts to fulfill its duties under international and domestic laws to recognize, respect, protect, fulfill, and promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, especially marginalized women, in the economic, social, political, cultural, and other fields without distinction or discrimination on account of class, age, sex, gender, language, ethnicity, religion, ideology, disability, education and status. The State shall provide the necessary mechanisms to enforce women’s rights and adopt and undertake all legal measures necessary to foster and promote the equal opportunity for women to participate in and contribute to the development of the political, economic, social and cultural realms.

“The State, in ensuring the full integration of women’s concerns in the mainstream of development, shall provide ample opportunities to enhance and develop their skills, acquire productive employment and contribute to their families and communities to the fullest of their capabilities.

“In pursuance of this policy, the State reaffirms the right of women in all sectors to participate in policy formulation, planning, organization, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of all programs, projects and services. It shall support policies, researches, technology, and training programs and other support services, such as financing, production and marketing to encourage active participation of women in national development.”

“Section 3. Principles of Human Rights of Women—Human rights are universal and inalienable. All people in the world are entitled

to them. The universality of human rights is encompassed in the words of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that all human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights.

“Human rights are indivisible. Human rights are inherent to the dignity of every human being whether they relate to civil, cultural, economic, political or social issues.

“Human rights are interdependent and interrelated. The fulfillment of one right often depends, wholly or in part, upon the fulfillment of others.

“All individuals are equal as human beings by virtue of the inherent dignity of each human person. No one, therefore, should suffer

discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender, age, language, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, political, or other opinion, national, social, or geographical origin, disability, property, birth, or other status as established by human-rights standards.

“All people have the right to participate in and access information relating to the decision-making processes that affect their lives and

well-being. Rights-based approaches require a high degree of participation by communities, civil society, minorities, women, young people, indigenous peoples and other identified groups.

“States and other duty-bearers are answerable for the observance of human rights. They have to comply with the legal norms and standards enshrined in international humanrights instruments in accordance

with the Philippine Constitution. Where they fail to do so, aggrieved rights-holders are entitled to institute proceedings for appropriate redress before a competent court or other adjudicator in accordance with the rules and procedures provided by law.”

President Rodrigo Duterte (Digong) has three years to go. We have seen the President’s political will in dealing with his war against drugs

and in his crusade against corruption. Is it too much to hope that his attitude toward women would change?

Perhaps, his policy advisers would want to read the Magna Carta on Women and give him the proper advice, rather than laugh at or forever apologize for his misogynistic remarks.

But, alas, can water spring higher than its source?