Protecting Gender Rights in Society

Last Friday, June 29, a forum was held at the Palma Hall to discuss issues in the

promotion and protection of gender rights. Speakers include Prof. Danton Remoto, Prof. Eric

Manalastas, Akbayan President Riza Hontiveros-Barraquel, among other distinguished

guests. They shed light on the different issues regarding gender in the country, from schools

to workplaces to society in general. Indeed, the audience learned a lot of insights.

Regarding the current state of gender rights in the country, the speakers were united in

saying that there is progress. "Patches of rainbow" can be seen in the country's laws, policies

and programs, but indeed, there is much work needed to be done. What could be the greatest

challenge is changing societal norms and stigmas that is still deeply ingrained in the

populace, especially on issues regarding discrimination and harassment. Citing that the

Philippines being deeply religious and patriarchal, it will take a long time for people to accept

women and members of the LGBT community as co-equal members of society, them too

being trapped in the norms society imposed to them.

The discussion focused on the issues regarding gender rights in the university, but it

can be seen that the issues we face as students and academics are the same issues we

share with others in general. It can be lamentable that while the university is proud of itself as

a place for freedom of expression and diversity, there are still cases of discrimination and

harassment, especially for members of the LGBT. While there are offices and mechanisms

where victims can report and seek advice, most cases are not reported for fear of being

ostracized. Also, while most students in the university are progressive enough to embrace the

existence of the LGBT in the campus, some sectors, especially members of religious groups,

are not tolerating, if not they harass members of gender minorities.

The latter parts of the discussion focused on government laws and policies that affect

women and the LGBT in general. Three laws currently govern gender issues in the country:

The Magna Carta for Women, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children, and Women in

Nation-Building Act. In the university, its implementing rules and regulations has been

liberalized to include the LGBT community; however, the laws itself do not mention the group.

Through a strategy of "Respect, Promote, Fulfill", the university has made measures in

the promotion and protection of gender rights in the campus. Aside from the establishment

Women's Centers in the different units, the university has also launched different programs in

promoting gender rights, even in campus where promotion seems to be challenging, such as

Engineering. Courses tackling gender issues such as Psych 195 and SocSci 3 is now

 

available for students, and different organizations, such as UP Babaylan, have partnered with

national and international movements to ensure gender issues is included in daily discourse.

Still, on the local and national level, there is little or no movement of government

officials in ensuring that gender issues are promoted and respected. The Reproductive Health

Bill and the Anti-Discrimination Bill is still pending for years in congress due to political and

religious opposition. There are still cases of harassment by policemen, especially to

transgenders. Even the medical society is guilty of denying treatment to women and the

LGBT for reasons of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Most local government still

lack programs for reproductive health, worsening the high maternal and infant mortality rates.

In a public personnel administration perspective, there are challenges that must be

addressed so that gender issues are taken care of in government offices. While there is a law

mandating a portion of an office's budget for gender development programs, it was cited most

offices are either unaware of the law, or have no idea how to implement it. From the selection

and development of personnel, to sexual harassment issues and maternal benefits,

government offices must ensure that equal opportunities be given to gender minorities,

evaluating them according to their skills, not by their physical appearance or sexual

preference.

It can therefore be concluded that while progress has been made in the promotion and

protection of gender rights in the Philippines, much is needed to be done. It is not just the

burden of government and civil society, but by all to ensure that everyone gets the same

rights and they are respected as human beings.