Manila: The House of Representatives has advanced key legislation promoting women’s rights, including a divorce bill and amendments to the Family Code, in an effort to address gender inequality, a House leader said on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, in observance of Women’s Month, House Committee on Women and Gender Equality chairperson and Bataan Rep. 1st District Geraldine Roman announced that the passage of the divorce bill in the House marked a significant step for women seeking legal remedies from failed and abusive marriages. Roman emphasized the urgent need for such legislation, noting that many women find themselves trapped in toxic and potentially dangerous marriages.
However, the measure faces challenges in the Senate, as Roman acknowledged. She also highlighted the necessity of amending the Family Code, citing 11 outdated provisions that give husbands the final say in family decisions, such as property sales.
Roman revealed that proposed amendments have already been sponsored before the plenary, leaving only six working days to pass them on third reading. If completed before the 20th Congress convenes, the bill would easily proceed through the committee level.
Further, Roman advocated for revisions to the Safe Spaces Act to ensure public officials are held accountable for inappropriate conduct, stressing that officials should not be exempt from the standards expected of citizens.
Additionally, Roman pushed for a proposal requiring political parties to allocate at least 40 percent of their candidate list to women, arguing that such gender quotas are essential for achieving equal political representation. She noted the existing imbalance in the political arena and the need for policies to level the playing field.
Roman also called for gender-responsive disaster policies, highlighting that pandemic aid often prioritized male heads of households, leaving many women without access to necessary resources. She urged for legislation that considers the different impacts of disasters on men and women.
