Women inmates attend forum on Magna Carta of Women

Tuesday 29th of March 2011

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, March 29 (PIA) – Around 60 women-inmates at the Pampanga provincial jail, this city, attended a recent forum on the Magna Carta of Women organized by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 3.

The forum, which was held at the conference hall of the provincial jail, served as an education and information activity on the rights of women as stipulated in the Magna Carta and formed part of the Women’s Month celebration 2011.

According to Maritess Liwanag, social welfare officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Luzon, the forum is timely considering that women’s concerns regarding their rights are crucial towards meeting the millennium development goals (MDGs) of the Philippines, particularly on gender and development and women empowerment.

Liwanag explained that the Magna Carta of Women is a comprehensive women’s rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in the marginalized sectors.

Under the law, women are protected against all forms of violence, including those committed by the state.

The Magna Carta of Women, said Liwanag, spells out every women’s right to protection and security in times of disaster, calamities and other crisis situations; equal treatment before the law; and equal access and elimination of discrimination against women in education, scholarship and training; equal participation in sports; non-discrimination in employment in the field of military, police and other similar services; non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayal of women in media and film.

The law also entitles women of comprehensive health services and health information and education; leave benefits for women-employees; equal rights in all matters relating to marriage and family relations.

The Magna Carta of Women also guarantees the civil, political and economic rights of women in the marginalized sector, particularly their right to food security, localized, accessible, secure and affordable housing; and social protection. (WLB-PIA3)