PCW presents women’s priority agenda for 17th Congress

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the lead agency that makes government work for the promotion, protection and fulfillment of women’s human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment, presented the 12 Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) for the 17th Congress on October 18 at the Speaker’s Social Hall, Main Building, House of Representatives in Quezon City.

Among the priority bills that the PCW will push for this Congress are the measures to expand the current maternity leave benefits, amendment of the Anti-Rape Law, repeal of Adultery and Concubinage, enactment of Divorce law, enactment of Anti-Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) and amendment of certain provisions of the Family Code of the Philippines.

In a separate statement, newly-appointed Chairperson Rhodora M. Bucoy appealed to all legislators to become true to their oath by crafting and enacting laws which will be beneficial to the women and men of the country.

“While we need our allies in the Congress to push for these bills, we enjoin the women and girls to claim for their rights and entitlements. We are likewise calling the civil society organizations, private institutions to become our partners in advancing the lives of women in all aspects,” she said.

Capping the launch is symbolic commitment of support of the legislators to the WPLA.

The WPLA seeks to repeal discriminatory provisions of existing laws as well as formulate and adopt new legislations that promote women’s empowerment and gender equality.

The proposed legislative measures are primarily anchored on the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) and the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (PPGD) 1995-2025.