EQUALITY
e·qual·i·ty
/əˈkwälədē/
noun
the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities
The following buttons will show the discriminations each side experience so we would be reminded to treat each other equally and with respect.
WOMEN
It's not a secret how women are treated badly and been deprived of rights in the past. Despite women working two-thirds of the world’s working hours and produce half of the world’s food, they earn only 10% of the world’s income and own less than 1% of the world’s property. Violence against women throughout the world and in all cultures prevails on an unimaginable scale, and women’s access to justice is often paired with discriminatory obstacles – in law as well as in practice. Multiple forms of discrimination based on gender and other factors such as race, ethnicity, caste, disability, persons affected by HIV/AIDS, sexual orientation or gender identity further compounds the risk of economic hardship, exclusion and violence against women. Even though CEDAW required the State who have ratified the Convention to eliminate discrimination against women “by all appropriate means and without delay”, too many States still pervasively retain their discriminatory laws which indicates that the pace of reform is too slow for women. In the Philippines, as the government recognizes the role and influence of women in the Philippines, many laws have been crafted to guarantee their protection and well-being, may it be in work or household.
The following are the laws implemented for women's rights:
105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law
Signed into law on February 2019 by President Rodrigo Duterte, Republic Act 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law extends the previous 60-day (78 days for caesarian section delivery for women workers in the private sector) paid maternity leave to 105 days.
The law also entails an option to extend for an additional 30 days of unpaid leave. Additional 15 days paid maternity leave shall also be granted to female solo parents.
Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women
RA 6725 prohibits discrimination with respect to terms and conditions of employment solely on the basis of sex.
Under this law, any employer favoring a male employee over a female in terms of promotion, training opportunities, and other benefits solely on account of sex is considered discrimination.
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004
RA 9262, or An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their Children, Providing Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefor and for Other Purposes, recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security.
Under this law, the state also recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security.
Assistance for small-scale women entrepreneurs
This law seeks to provide all possible assistance to Filipino women in their pursuit of owning, operating and managing small business enterprises.
RA 7882, or the act that states the Provision of Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and Cottage Business Enterprises, and for other purposes, was approved in February 1995.
Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995
RA 7877 addresses the issue of sexual harassment committed in employment, education or training environment. It was signed into law on February 14, 1995, under former President Fidel Ramos' administration.
Sexual favors made as a condition in the employment or granting promotions or privileges; or the refusal to grant the sexual favor results in limiting, segregating or classifying the employee which in any way would discriminate, deprive or diminish employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect is punishable by law.
The Anti-Rape Law of 1997
RA 8353 states that any person having carnal knowledge of a woman through force, threat, or intimidation or by means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority will be punished.
Depending on the severity of the case, the offense may be punishable reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.
Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998
RA 8505 declares the policy of the State to provide necessary assistance and protection for rape victims.
The government shall coordinate its various agencies and non-government organizations to work hand in hand for the establishment and operation of a rape crisis center in every province and city that shall assist and protect rape victims in the litigation of their cases and their recovery.
Magna Carta of Women
RA 9710 is a comprehensive women's human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and promotion of the rights of Filipino women, especially those belonging in the marginalized sectors of the society.
It conveys a framework of rights for women based directly on international law.
Pursuant to this law is Executive Order 273 that states the approval and adoption of Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development, 1995-2025.
National Women's Day
RA 6949 declares the eighth day of March every year as a special working holiday.
Here is a petition you can sign to help:
‘Having been hospitalised from anorexia once before, when Hope relapsed a few years ago she reached out for help only to be told by doctors she “wasn’t thin enough for support”. But the reality of eating disorders is that they aren’t just about the scales, so Hope is calling on the government to review the eating disorder guidance delivered by clinicians.’
Men
Like women, men also experience discrimination. And like women, they should also have rights to defend themselves. Men should have their feelings feel validated too. They deserve to be heard.
The following are injustices to the male section of our society. This explains how males are victims of discrimination in a similar way as females are and how the society turns a blind eye towards male victimization since the society has a preconceived notion that it is only the females who can be abused and harassed by males and not vice-versa.
Manscrimination
We often hear about cases of injustice against women or sexual harassment to females at workplaces. If injustice is being done, there is a preconceived notion that injustice is being done to the female. It usually never occurs to people that harassment can be done to males as well. But nowadays, cases have come to people’s notice where harassment to males is being done and no justice is given to them because it is been assumed that the male is wrong on his part and the female gets the preference to it. There is a gender bias against males in certain cases. A number of laws are made for the protection of female but no such laws are there for the males and this makes them the victim of the society. There are various social movements and NGOs which works for the rights of men. Furthermore, harassment isn’t just sexual but can be mental as well.
Male sexual harassment
The case of male sexual harassment at the work place is on a rise. It is not only females who are harassed at the work place but males also get harassed by their co-employees or superior at their work place. Nobody wants to believe it because it is not a serious issue for everybody. But indeed, it is a serious issue for the male victim. This is because males don’t point their figure due to their ego. Many people believe that harassment is limited to females and cannot go beyond this sphere. It’s not women, but males too who are victims of sexual harassment. In today’s workplace, men are vulnerable to sexual harassment as much as women. It is a very serious issue and steps should be taken to overcome this.
LGBTQ+
Experiencing discrimination is not something that can or should be easily brushed off, despite the reality that many people often feel they must brush off discrimination in order to maintain peace. Yet supporting or promoting discriminatory acts has real consequences on the lives of those affected.
The impact of discrimination in the LGBTQ community may include effects on:
-physical health
-mental and psychological health
-education
-employment
-housing status
-treatment in public and social settings
-economic security
The effects of discrimination can be even more significant among LGBTQ individuals who are marginalized in other ways. For instance, LGBTQ people of color are 19 percent more likely than white LGBTQ individuals to face discrimination when applying for a job.
Transgender and non-binary people of color report higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and are more likely to experience violence, poverty, and incarceration than their white counterparts.
Being a woman, identifying as non-binary, or being transgender also carries a higher chance of facing discrimination among those in the LGBTQ community.
Other factors that can contribute to the prevalence and types of discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals include a person’s age, national origin, religion, disability status, and more.
LGBTQ Workplace Discrimination
Seventy-five countries across the globe prohibit employment discrimination on account of sexual orientation.
However, discrimination can also take several other forms. Employees may be discriminated against in their wages, how they are treated by their boss and coworkers, and in hiring practices.
Even more muddled are LGBTQ rights in situations of harassment in the workplace, such as offensive comments and other acts meant to make LGBTQ employees feel uncomfortable and unsafe. The legal standard that must be met in order to prove “workplace harassment” (also known as “hostile work environment”), the employee must be able to show that the offensive conduct was “so severe or pervasive that it materially altered the terms and conditions of the employment.” It is a relatively high standard that usually requires more than an isolated comment.
Medical Care Discrimination Against LGBTQ Individuals
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals can encounter significant barriers in receiving accessible and inclusive health care and finding medical providers that are knowledgable about their needs.
Many LGBTQ people report delaying or avoiding seeking care because they’re concerned about how they may be treated by a provider. Bias and stigma in medical, employment, and other social settings can, in this way, not only have a significant mental and emotional toll, but also pose dangers to physical health and wellbeing.
Examples of LGBTQ healthcare discrimination include:
-refusal of care
-promotion of inappropriate treatment interventions
-use of abusive language by a medical provider
-discrimination from fertility and sexual health specialists
Discrimination Against LGBTQ Individuals In A Legal Setting
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals can also face discrimination in legal settings.
With a lack of federal oversight, or even state-level protection in most areas of the country, there is little recourse available to LGBTQ people who face discrimination by lawyers, attorneys, and other legal professionals on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Legal settings, as well as many public and private settings, can become abusive spaces for LGBTQ people, with individuals living in small or rural towns at heightened risk for mistreatment.
Discrimination Against LGBTQ Individuals In Social Settings
Discrimination can occur in a variety of settings, extending beyond just a person’s place of employment or their doctor’s office.
Social and public settings in the community can also become unsafe or unwelcoming for LGBTQ individuals, depending on the attitudes and beliefs expressed by those who occupy these spaces.
LGBTQ parents, children, teachers, and community workers can face exclusion and abuse from other people in their community through attempted participation in social activities, events, or education-based organizations.
Examples of public and social settings where discrimination can occur:
-schools
-playgrounds
-community centers
-parks
-parties
-bars
-restaurants
-libraries
-transportation services
Here is a petition to allow LGBTQ+ families adopt foster children.
