Catholic schools warned vs possible violation of Magna Carta of Women

MANILA, Philippines - A women’s group yesterday warned Catholic school officials who will refuse to readmit students and teachers who became pregnant outside of marriage, saying this is a clear violation of the newly signed Magna Carta of Women.

Clara Rita Padilla, executive director of the group EnGenderRights, said Catholic schools must abide by the provisions of the Magna Carta of Women, which specifically prohibits discrimination against teachers and students who get pregnant outside of marriage.

“Under the Magna Carta, a government official who is found to have violated this provision will be sanctioned under administrative law, civil service law or other laws, while a private individual can be made liable for damages and other applicable criminal laws,” Padilla said in a statement.

President Arroyo signed Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women into law last week, banning discrimination against women and recognizing and protecting their rights.

The Catholic Church disapproved of certain provisions in the law that gives women pregnant out of wedlock rights to employment and education.

Under Section 13 (Equal Access and Elimination of Discrimination in Education, Scholarships and Training) of RA 9710, “Expulsion and non-readmission of women faculty due to pregnancy outside of marriage shall be outlawed. No school shall turn out or refuse admission to a female student solely on the account of her having contracted pregnancy outside of marriage during her term in school.”

“Contrary to the rabid disinformation of Filipino Catholic priests, predominantly Catholic countries around the world have long separated fundamentalist Catholic Church doctrine with the states’ policies. A classic example is Spain whose colonial rule in the Philippines converted many Filipinos to become Catholics, which allows abortion on certain grounds and became the third country in the world to allow same-sex marriage,” Padilla stressed.

“Catholic schools must not teach their students hatred and discriminatory attitudes towards others. Let us not forget the true essence of Catholicism and respect for the fundamental rights of others, which includes the right to education, among others,” said Padilla.