Magna Carta against Discrimination of Women Workers

RA 9710 provides for regulations on discrimination of female employees. The Labor Code also provides for similar provisions.

ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION UNDER THE MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN

RA 9710, otherwise known as “The Magna Carta of Women,” is a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in marginalized sector.

Based on the definition of the term “Discrimination Against Women” in RA 9710, the following are considered discriminatory acts:

[1] Any gender-based distinction, exclusion, or restriction which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field;
[2] Any act or omission, including by law, policy, administrative measure, or practice, that directly or indirectly excludes or restricts women in the recognition and promotion of their rights and their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits or privileges;
[3] A measure or practice of general application that fails to provide for mechanisms to offset or address sex or gender-based disadvantages or limitations of women, as a result of which women are denied or restricted in the recognition and protection of their rights and in their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or privileges; or women, more than men, are shown to have suffered the greater adverse effects of those measures or practices; and
[4] Discrimination compounded by or intersecting with other grounds, status, or condition, such as ethnicity, age, poverty or religion.

Additionally, women are guaranteed their right to decent work. The State shall progressively realize and ensure decent work standards for women that involve the creation of jobs of acceptable quality in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.