Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 10) — Residents of the City of Manila are seen to benefit from gender development programs under a newly signed ordinance.
Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso on Tuesday signed Ordinance No. 8681 or the city’s Gender and Development (GAD) Code that will “ensure all persons of any gender benefit equally and participate directly” in projects related to gender and development.
Among many other benefits, GAD will ensure the increase in paternity and maternity leaves for fathers and breastfeeding mothers in the private sector, as well as increase in reproductive health benefits for women.
“The city government shall pursue and implement vigorously gender-responsive development policies, design and integrate specific gender support system, take into consideration women’s and girls’ right to economic survival, political participation, self-determination and personal empowerment,” Domagoso said in a statement.
The ordinance also aims to “protect women and all other genders against violence, sexual abuse, battering, trafficking, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, pedophilia, commercial exploitation and other forms of harassment.”
The policy includes a comprehensive support for violence survivors like immediate conduct of investigations, free counseling and medical services, and creation of community-based psychological programs and support groups.
One-third of the posts in the barangay and the city development council for gender and development should also be reserved to women “in recognition of their considerable leadership and involvement,” the ordinance said.
