More than 200 women employees of the Philippine National Police (PNP), municipal social welfare and development offices, day care centers, provincial capitol and other workers concerned with the promotion and protection of women’s welfare and development attended the symposium on the magna carta of women, disaster risk reduction and climate change and adaptation.
Provincial Board Member Trina Dizon said the one-day event is one of the highlights of the on-going celebration of women’s month in the province which has for its theme “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility”.
Sponsored by the provincial government through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Dizon said the symposium aimed to empower the participants by providing them with adequate knowledge on their legal rights.
As chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on women, family and children, Dizon said that one of the priorities of the provincial government is the enactment of an ordinance concerning women’s benefits, privileges and development.
She said that Governor Lilia G. Pineda and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan are very supportive of activities geared towards the development and empowerment of women.
Dr. Corazon Aguilar-David, resource person of the symposium, stressed that as workers for children and women, it is imperative that the participants be knowledgeable on their legal rights so that they could effectively address the issues which confront them.
“Slur, wanton display of disrespect, multiple burden, legal discrimination, stereotyping and economic dependence are some of the major issues confronting women.”
These issues, David explained, are addressed by the new laws stipulated in the Magna Carta of Women which includes among others the rights to decide on birth spacing, equal ownership opportunity, special leave for women, security of tenure and representation rights.
Other rights of women included in special laws are the rights to marry, work or practice one’s profession, inherit, against legal discrimination, live together as husband and wife, seek judicial relief, possess remains of dead spouse, exemption from criminal liability on crimes against property committed against the spouse, against cruel and unjust punishment and against all forms of verbal, physical, psychological, social and economic violence.
David advised the participants to report all forms of violence and abuse committed against women to the proper authorities as she stressed that “no one has the right to abuse you”.
Discussions on the role of women in proper waste management, disaster risk reduction and effects of climate change were also conducted by technical representatives from the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office (PRRMO).(Erlinda T. Yutuc, Pampanga PIO)
