Legarda: Build On the Gains of PHL’s Gender Equality Policies

Senator Loren Legarda today said that the country must build on the gains of its gender equality laws by ensuring that both men and women are able to reach their full potential.

Legarda made the statement following the release of the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which showed that the Philippines ranked fifth in the world and first in Asia Pacific in a survey of nations’ ability to close gender gap.

The WEF measured 136 countries’ gender gap in the areas of economic equality, political participation, health and survival, and educational attainment.

“The results of this report indicate that we have crafted effective laws on gender equality and women empowerment, and the implementation of these policies are improving through the years. We were rank 9 in 2010, 8 in 2011 and 2012, and now we’re number 5 in the Global Gender Gap Index,” said Legarda.

“We must build on our gains and continue to provide equal support to men and women in reaching their full potential as individuals and as citizens participating in nation building,” she added.

Legarda also said that the government must continue to ensure the faithful implementation of Republic Act 9710, the Magna Carta of Women, a law she co-authored, which ensures women are protected from violence and other crisis situations, represented and given role in community decision-making, given equal access to education and employment, and provided with access to comprehensive health services, among other provisions.

“As we strive to empower women, we must likewise encourage them to engage in disaster resilience and climate adaptation efforts as these are among the world’s most pressing concerns today,” she stressed.

“We must provide women the needed support to have the confidence to lead and be at the forefront of efforts to improve Filipino communities and take initiatives that will contribute to the nation’s progress,” said Legarda.