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Magna Carta of Women: Protecting Women’s Rights in the Workplace

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Magna Carta of Women: Protecting Women’s Rights in the Workplace

Photo from Unsplash | CoWomen

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not create, nor shall it be construed as creating, a lawyer-client relationship between Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices (or any of its lawyers) and the reader. For advice on specific legal concerns, you are encouraged to engage the services of a qualified lawyer. You may also directly consult Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices for proper guidance tailored to your situation.

The views and information presented herein are based on the laws, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing. They do not take into account subsequent legal developments and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice.

AT A GLANCE:

Section 4(a) of Republic Act no. 9710 defines women empowerment as the provision, availability, and accessibility of opportunities, services, and observance of human rights which enable women to actively participate and contribute to the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the nation as well as those which shall provide them equal access to ownership, management, and control of production, and of material and informational resources and benefits in the family, community, and society.

The participation of women in the workforce is no longer a question of access, it is a matter of equality, dignity and protection. Philippine law recognizes that while opportunities have expanded, structural inequalities and workplace discrimination persist. To address these, the State enacted a landmark measure: Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.

A Landmark Law for Gender Equality

Republic Act No. 9710 is a comprehensive women’s right law that seeks to eliminate discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and promotion of the rights of Filipino women in all spheres, including employment. 

Anchored on the State Policy under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the law recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men. (Section 14)

Further, Section 14 of Article XIII provides that the State shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation.

Women Empowerment

Section 4(a) of Republic Act no. 9710 defines women empowerment as the provision, availability, and accessibility of opportunities, services, and observance of human rights which enable women to actively participate and contribute to the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the nation as well as those which shall provide them equal access to ownership, management, and control of production, and of material and informational resources and benefits in the family, community, and society

Workplace Rights Guaranteed Under the Law

The Magna Carta of Women provides a strong legal framework to ensure that women are treated fairly and equitably in employment. Among its key protections are:

1. Special Leave Benefit for Women (Section 18, Republic Act No. 9710) 

A woman employee having rendered continuous aggregate employment service of at least six (6) months for the last twelve (12) months shall be entitled to a special leave benefit of two (2) months with full pay based on her gross monthly compensation following surgery caused by gynecological disorders.

2. Right to Decent Work (Section 22, Republic Act No. 9710)

The State shall progressively realize and ensure decent work standards for women that involve the creation of jobs of acceptable quality in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.

  1. ) Decent work involves opportunities for work that are productive and fairly remunerative as family living wage, security in the workplace, and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns organize, participate in the decisions that affect their lives, and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.
  2. ) The State shall further ensure:
    1. ) Support services and gears to protect them from occupational and health hazards taking into account women’s maternal functions;
    2. ) Support services that will enable women to balance their family obligations and work responsibilities including, but not limited to, the establishment of day care centers and breast-feeding stations at the workplace, and providing maternity leave pursuant to the Labor Code and other pertinent laws;
    3. ) Membership in unions regardless of status of employment and place of employment; and
    4. ) Respect for the observance of indigenous peoples’ cultural practices even in the workplace.
  3. ) In recognition of the temporary nature of overseas work, the State shall exert all efforts to address the causes of out-migration by developing local employment and other economic opportunities for women and by introducing measures to curb violence and forced and involuntary displacement of local women. The State shall ensure the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of migrant women regardless of their work status, and protect them against discrimination in wages, conditions of work, and employment opportunities in host countries.

The Magna Carta of Women is not merely a declaration of policy but also a guarantee of women’s rights in the workplace. By institutionalizing protections such as paid medical leave, equitable working conditions, and safeguards against discrimination, the law affirms that true progress lies not only in participation, but in the quality and dignity of women’s work.

In today’s evolving labor landscape, ensuring compliance with these protections is not just a legal obligation, it is a commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and social justice.

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Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices specializes in business law and labor law consulting. For inquiries regarding legal services, you may reach us at info@alburolaw.com, or dial us at (02)7745-4391/ 09175772207/ 09778050020.

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