CSC highlights laws and advocacy campaigns for gender protection and equality

In observance of Women’s Month, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) is reinforcing the different gender awareness campaigns by the government for the attainment of gender equality in the workplace.

CSC- Office for Personnel Management and Development Director Doreen Gragasin said during a radio forum that women in the workplace should be aware of the existing programs and laws that promote gender equality.

Gragasin said that the CSC is strengthening the awareness campaign, especially in the regions, for laws such as R.A. 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act where women are usually the victims. 

According to her, the element of moral ascendancy or being in a higher position on the part of the perpetrator is no longer necessary in sexual harassment charges; even co-employees of the same rank can be charged of sexual harassment following the qualifying circumstances attached to said offense.

In such cases, Gragasin is encouraging women to file complaints if they feel they have been sexually harassed. The law is one way of protecting women and is part of the government’s call for mutual respect and equal treatment for both sexes.

Aside from the R.A 7877, Gragasin is also reminding female employees who are victims Republic Act No. 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law, are entitled to a leave benefit of up to ten (10) days with full pay.

The leave benefit shall cover the days that the woman-victim has to attend to medical and legal concerns. The said leave shall be extended when the need arises, as specified in the protection order issued by the barangay or the court.


She added that in order to be entitled to the leave benefit, the only requirement is for the victim-employee to present to her employer a certification from the barangay chairman (Punong Barangay) or barangay councilor (barangay kagawad) or prosecutor or the Clerk of Court that an action relative VAWC is pending.

Also, female single parents who are  government employees are entitled to an additional seven-day leave to be able to attend to the needs of their children. The only requirement is that the employee has rendered at least one year in government service.

Gender awareness advocacy and campaigns in the workplace are ofshoots of R.A. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women which is a comprehensive women's human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting their rights, especially those in the marginalized sectors. The reintroduction of these campaigns is part of the information campaign of the government as the country celebrates Women’s Month in March.