Senator Pushes Women’s Rights, Economic Equality

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Sen. Loren Legarda reaffirmed her commitment to advancing the welfare of Filipino women and urged public officials to prioritize programs ensuring their safety and well-being.

While the Philippines remains the most gender-equal country in Asia, according to the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index Report, Legarda stressed that threats to women’s rights persist.

“Stronger legal protections are key to ensuring that women are treated with dignity and respect in all aspects of life. But laws are insufficient if we do not uphold them with conviction,” she said.

“When we support women, protect their rights, invest in their education, and create equal economic opportunities, we build a stronger and more resilient Philippines,” Legarda added.

She noted that many Filipinas still face gender-based biases in their communities and workplaces.

Additionally, women continue to struggle with issues such as domestic violence, limited access to education and healthcare, and a lack of economic opportunities.

Legarda, the country’s longest-serving female senator and the only woman to top two senatorial elections, has long championed women’s rights. She has authored and sponsored key legislation, including the Magna Carta of Women, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and its expanded version, the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Law, and the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law.

Women often shoulder unpaid household tasks such as cooking, caregiving, cleaning, and laundry, which remain unrecognized and uncompensated. “It’s time we acknowledge and value the weight of unpaid care work that women carry,” Legarda said.

To address this, the four-term senator filed Senate Bill No. 1648, the proposed Unpaid Care Workers Welfare Act, to challenge traditional gender roles and promote shared household responsibilities.

Legarda has also been a strong advocate for women entrepreneurs, particularly in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), where women make up 99% of participants. She has supported programs that empower women in culture-based industries such as weaving, including the TESDA Women Center Alumni Association for entrepreneurship training, the Schools of Living Traditions under the NCCA for preserving indigenous crafts, the Hibla Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves to showcase local weavers, and the Department of Trade and Industry’s National Arts and Crafts Fair to promote Filipino MSMEs.

“Women in MSMEs are closest to my heart because they make up almost all of our small businesses. To truly support them, we must provide the necessary resources—capital, equipment, and training—to help their businesses thrive,” Legarda emphasized.

“Championing women’s rights has always been my advocacy, and I remain steadfast in crafting and supporting legislation that will move the country toward a more inclusive society.”