Press Release
February 2, 2009

STATEMENT OF SENATOR M.A. MADRIGAL ON THE PASSAGE
OF MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN BILL

It's about time.

This was the statement of Senator Jamby Madrigal after the Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading the proposed bill on the Magna Carta of Women. The measure aims to establish a bill of rights for women as a means of reaffirming the state's commitment to the participation and empowerment of women in all aspects of the family, government and society.

Madrigal noted that the bill's approval finally put to a fitting end the decade-long work of women's rights advocates and various women's groups in urging Congress to enact the bill into law. "The proposed Magna Carta of Women Law has been languishing in the Senate since the 12th Congress and I attribute the approval of this bill to the decisive leadership of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who is not afraid to reckon with the various pressure groups opposing this bill," Madrigal added.

Sponsored on the floor by Madrigal, chairperson of the Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations, the bill fulfills the Philippines' international obligation to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and to provide a comprehensive definition of discrimination against women in our national law.

"This is a milestone legislation in defending the human rights of the poor women who have no access to proper healthcare, of those who are marginalized and victims of discrimination and abuse," Sen. Madrigal said.

Madrigal expressed hope that the bill would be signed into law in time for the celebration of Women's Day on March 8. "This is a very precious bill because it guarantees the basic rights of women and provides them with necessary protection against discrimination and abuse," Madrigal emphasized.

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