House Committee on Human Rights Chair and Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante on International Women’s Day reiterated the need for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation to ensure that Filipino women are provided with the same opportunities as Filipino men, especially in the Philippine workplace.
Abante pointed out that “this year the theme of International Women’s Day is #InspireInclusion and it serves as a reminder of the need to foster an environment of equality and fairness for all, regardless of gender.”
“I believe measures such as House Bill Number Number (HB) 188, or the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2022, are crucial in advancing these principles and promoting a society where every individual, especially women, can thrive and succeed without facing prejudice,” the veteran legislator said.
Authored by the seasoned lawmaker, HB 188 prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, sex, or gender.
Among the discriminatory acts defined in the law is denial of the right to work.
Section 5 of the proposed measure makes it unlawful to deny employment on the basis of gender. The same section makes it illegal to use gender as a ground for “the selection, promotion, and termination of workers, and in the determination of compensation, training, incentives, privileges, benefits, or allowances.”
“Anti-discrimination legislation is not only a moral imperative––it is also consistent with timeless values, including those espoused by the Bible.”
He stressed that “anti-discrimination legislation is not only a moral imperative––it is also consistent with timeless values, including those espoused by the Bible.”
The legislator-pastor, who founded the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries, quoted Galatians 3:28, which says: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
The human rights advocate further explained that HB 188 “can serve as a shield against discrimination, ensuring that Filipino women have equal access to opportunities in education, employment, and public life. Through this measure, we can better pave the way for inclusion by breaking down the barriers that impede the progress of women, and by fostering an environment where diversity is the rule, rather than the exception.”
“Women in the Philippines earn only 78% of what is earned by men.”
According to the Global Wage Report of the International Labor Organization, women in the Philippines earn only 78% of what is earned by men.
In rural areas, the pay gap is wider as women earn just 43% of men’s earnings, per data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Data from the PSA also shows that the women’s average daily wage in 2019 was 13.9% lower than the average daily wage of Filipino men.
