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PHILIPPINES - MAGNA CARTA BILL FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS

PASSES SENATE AND HOUSE - RIGHTS & EQUALITY

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090202-187047/Senate-ratifies-Magna-Carta-of-Women

Philippines - Senate Ratifies Magna Carta of Women

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
02/02/2009

MANILA, Philippines—Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a measure that seeks to protect the rights of Filipino women.

Eighteen senators voted to pass Senate Bill 2396, also known as the Magna Carta of Women.

Senator Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal, head of the committee on youth, women and family relations, said the bill’s passage is in compliance with the county’s international obligation “to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and to provide a comprehensive definition of discrimination against women in our national law.”

“This is a milestone legislation in defending the human rights of the poor women, who have no access to proper healthcare, of those who are marginalized and victims of discrimination and abuse,” Madrigal said in a statement.

She expressed hope that the measure would be signed into law in time for the celebration of Women’s Day on March 8.

“This is a very precious bill because it guarantees the basic rights if women and provides them with necessary protection against discrimination and abuse,” the senator further said.

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http://www.stopvaw.org/Philippine_Senate_to_Pass_Magna_Carta_for_Women.html

The Philippine House of Representatives passed House Bill 4273, known as the "Magna Carta of Women," in August 2008.

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http://www.un-instraw.org/en/media-center/world-gender-news/philippine-senate-to-pass-magna-carta-for-2.html

Philippine Senate to Pass Magna Carta for Women

20 August 2008

A Magna Carta for Women is nearing passage in both the Philippine House of Representatives and Senate. The Magna Carta, House Bill (HB) 4273/Senate Bill 2396 will institutionally solidify gender provisions in the nation’s policy framework. It is currently pending for a second reading in the Senate.

Senator Loren Legarda oversaw the consolidation of nine separate bills that made up the Magna Carta, which each bill having been written by a group of female and male senators. The Magna Carta is in direct compliance of the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, or CEDAW.

The Magna Carta includes not only recognition and the legalization of Women’s Rights, but also mechanisms for funding and enforcement. Enforcement includes the setting up of a gender ombudsman under the Philippine Commission on Human Rights.

The Magna Carta also aims to repeal or revise existing discriminatory laws. This includes Philippine Family Code which gives priority to a husband’s decision making power in matters dealing with connubial property. It will also introduce new features that are not in current Philippine law, such as a non-derogatory portrayal of women in the media and equal access to information.

Special attention in the Magna Carta is given to poor and marginalized women, whose needs are addressed in several areas including access to property rights and credit, scholarships, and assistance in during times of difficulty.

Until the Magna Carta of Women is passed in the Philippines, many rights will not be secured institutionally.

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