Today, women are not only called “queen of home” but also a leader,

entrepreneurs and professionals, an empowered women of today! We

already have the voice, the participation and representation in the
society. Considering the value of women in our family and in our society,
specific laws were enacted for the protection and promotion of the welfare of
women and their children. Some of the important legislations in the country
today are as follows:

1. The 1987 Philippine Constitution

a. Article II
SECTION 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building,
and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and
men.

b. Article VI
SECTION 5 (2). The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty per
centum of the total number of representatives including those under
the party list. For three consecutive terms after the ratification of
this Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated to party-list
representatives shall be filled, as provided by law, by selection or
election from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural
communities, women, youth, and such other sectors as may be provided
by law, except the religious sector.

c. Article XIII
SECTION 11. The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential
goods, health and other social services available to all the people at
affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the
 underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State
shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.

d. Article XIII
SECTION 14. The State shall protect working women by providing safe and
healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal
functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their
welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service
of the nation.

e. Article XV
Section 3(2)
“The State shall defend:

(1) xxxxxxx;

(2) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition,
and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty,
exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development;

xxxx

2. Republic Act 6725

April 27, 1989

“An Act Strengthening the Prohibition on Discrimination Against

Women with Respect to Terms and Conditions of Employment,
Amending for the Purpose Article One Hundred Thirty-Five of the
Labor Code, As Amended”
3. Republic Act 6972
November 23, 1990

“An Act Establishing a Day Care Center in Every Barangay Instituting

Therein a Total Development and Protection of Children Program,
Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes”

4. Republic Act 7192

December 11, 1991

“An Act Promoting the Integration of Women as Full and Equal

Partners of Men in Development and Nation Building and for Other
Purposes”

5. Republic Act 7322

March 30, 1992

“An Act Increasing Maternity Benefits in Favor of Women Workers in

the Private Sector, Amending for the Purpose Section 14-A of
Republic Act No. 1161, as Amended and for Other Purposes”

6. Republic Act 7600

June 17, 1992

“An Act Requiring All Government and Private Health Institutions

with Obstetrical Services to Adopt Rooming-in and Breastfeeding
Practices and for Other Purposes”

7. Republic Act 7610

June 17, 1992
 “An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection Against Child
Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination, and For Other Purposes”

8. Republic Act 7688

March 3, 1994

“An Act Giving Representation to Women in Social Security

Commission Amending for the Purpose Section 3(A) of Republic Act
1161, as Amended”

9. Republic Act 7877

February 8, 1995

“An Act Declaring Sexual harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or

Training Environment, and for Other Purposes”
(Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995)

10. Republic Act 7822

February 20, 1995

“An Act Providing Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and

Cottage Business Enterprises, and for Other Purposes

11. Republic Act 8353

September 30, 1997

“An Act Expanding the Definition of the Crime of Rape,

Reclassifying the Same as a Crime Against Persons, Amending for the
Purpose Act No. 3815, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the
Revised Penal Code, and for Other Purposes”
12. Republic Act 8369
October 28, 1997

“An Act Establishing Family Courts, granting Them Exclusive Original

Jurisdiction Over Child and Family Cases, Amending Batas Pambansa
No. 192, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the Judiciary
Reorganization Act of 1980, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for
Other Purposes”

13. Republic Act No. 8505

February 13, 1998
“An Act Providing Assistance and Protection for Rape Victims, Establishing
for the Purpose A Rape Crisis Center in Every Province and City,
Authorizing the Appropriation of funds Therefor, and For Other
Purposes”

14. Republic Act 8972

“An Act Providing for Benefits and Privileges To Solo Parents and their Children,
Appropriating Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes”

15. Republic Act 9208

May 26, 2003

“An Act to Institute Policies to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons Especially Women

and Children, Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the
Protection and Support of Trafficked Persons, Providing Penalties for its
Violations and For Other”
"Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003"

16. Republic Act 9262

March 8, 2004
 “An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their Children,
Providing Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties
Therefor and for Other Purposes”

17. Republic Act 9710

July 28, 2008

"The Magna Carta of Women"

We celebrate women empowerment not only this month but every day!
#womensmonthPh #womenempowerment #Filipinasempowerment

Reference: http://www. nscb.gov.ph

Updated: March 15, 2015