• Agriculture and Agrarian Reform
• Natural Resource Management
• Infrastructure
• Private Sector Development
• Education
• Health
• Housing and Settlement
• Women in Areas Under Armed Conflict
• Project Implementation and Management, and Monitoring and Evaluation
• Justice
• Information and Communication Technology

• Microfinance
• Labor and Employment
• Child Labor
• Migration
• Tourism
• Energy
• Designing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Projects
• Development Planning
• Funding Facilities
• Fisheries Sector

Laws Protecting Women in the Philippines

Safe Spaces Act
The Safe Spaces Act defines and penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational and training institutions. It expanded the scope of the law against sexual harassment which used to be limited to work and educational and training institutions. It now also includes peer-to-peer sexual harassment.

 Republic Act 11313 or “The Safe Spaces Act  IRR of the Safe Spaces Act

The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012
The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10354), known as the Reproductive Health Law or RH Law, which guarantees the human rights of all persons including their right to equality and nondiscrimination of these rights, the right to sustainable human development, the right to health which includes reproductive health, the right to education and information, and the right to choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their religious convictions, ethics, cultural beliefs, and the demands of responsible parenthood.

 Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act

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.

 RA 11210 or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law

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.

 RA 6725 or the Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women

Assistance for small-scale women entrepreneurs
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. 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 Assistance for Small-scale Women Entrepreneurs

Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act
RA 7610 or the act that states the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act that seeks to provide special protection to children from all firms of abuse, neglect, cruelty exploitation and discrimination and other conditions, prejudicial their development; provide sanctions for their commission and carry out a program for prevention and deterrence of and crisis intervention in situations of child abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

 RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act  IRR of the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003
RA 9208 or the act that states the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 that seeks to to eliminate trafficking in persons especially women and children, establishing the
necessary institutional mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons, providing penalties for its violations, and for other purposes.

 RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003  IRR of the the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003

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,recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security.

 RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004

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.

 RA7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

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.

 RA 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law

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.

 RA 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law and RA 8505 or the Rape Victim Assistance

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.

 RA 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women

Women in Development and Nation-Building Act of 1992
RA 7192 provides guidance and measures that will mobilize and enhance participation of women in the development process in ways equal to that of men.

 RA 7192 or the Women in Development and Nation Building Act  IRR of the Women in Development and Nation Building Act

National Women’s Day
RA 6949 declares the eighth day of March every year as a special working holiday. This ensures meaningful observance of the holiday, where all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations as well as local government units, and employers in the private sector shall encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of their respective offices or establishments to celebrate National Women’s Day.

 RA 6949 or the National Women’s Day