Philippines

9 countries, 7 months & 400 stakeholders engaged – first stage of our ambitious project complete

In July, the Equal Rights Trust completed its final factfinding mission as part of its work promoting the implementation of three UN conventions and seven core International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions in nine countries around the world. During our missions, we have met with approximately 400 representatives from civil society and trade unions, gathering critical information on how best to strengthen their efforts to monitor and advocate for the effective implementation of the conventions in their respective countries.

Philippines

In the Philippines we are working to reform discriminatory laws, policies and practices to bring them in line with UN human rights and International Labour Organization conventions, including those which focus on eliminating racial discrimination, discrimination against women and those promoting child and labour rights.  

To do this we are supporting civil society and trade unions by: 

Philippines President Signs into Law the Magna Carta of Women

On 14 August 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9710 (the Magna Carta of Women). The Magna Carta of Women seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognising, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Philippino women in all spheres of society.

The introduction of legislation on women’s rights has been under discussion in the Philippines’ Congress (the bicameral parliament) for the past seven years.

The Magna Carta of Women contains extensive provisions which promote women’s rights, including the right to non-discrimination. It is based on a substantive notion of gender equality and aims at real empowerment of women. Section 2 declares that: