Letter to the Editor - Nerissa's new bill for women

House Bill 3744 an Act Eliminating Discrimination, Ensuring Welfare Services and Empowering Women in Vulnerable Situations, and Prescribing Penalties in Violation Thereof will make it a crime for government or private institutions of care that provide welfare and health services to deny women information, services and care especially if they are in vulnerable situation.

Vulnerable situations is defined in the bill as circumstances that threaten the physical, mental, social and economic wellbeing of women, magnifying the inherent hardships rooted in gender inequalities such as but not limited to being indigent, or being in informal or marginalized work, being sick or in need of health care, being in hazardous or violent situation and being under arrest or detention.

The institutions affected include social welfare offices, orphanages, homes for the aged, Women and Children Protection Units, Workplace Units, NGO clinics, free-standing clinics and similar institutions.

House Bill 3744, also known as the Women Empowerment Bill, is authored by a Congresswoman of Cebu's Sixth District, Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, also known as a hard working member of Congress, a populist and a staunch supporter of women's rights.

Women victims of violence, abuse and war (as in Mindanao) impoverished or exploited women will stand to benefit from the bill. At the public hearing on the bill on March 29 at the Lower House, Mr. Evan L. Epe, Advocacy Director of FPOP (Family Planning Organization of the Philippines) stated: "HB 3744 is a laudable piece of legislation that will help remove barriers to the enjoyment of women's fundamental rights to swifts, competent and human care if such is sought from said institutions. The bill will ensure that women seeking welfare and health services from such institutions will be treated with respect and dignity and their right to privacy and confidentiality and inform-making decision are protected."

(Sgd.) Maricris Gabuya
Ma. Cristina Bldg.
Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City