The Philippines was one of the first countries in Asia to ratify several international agreements, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other international standards associated with the fundamental principles and rights at work such as the Equal Remuneration Convention (C100) and the Discrimination Convention (C111), among others. It has also passed gender-sensitive legislation, particularly the Magna Carta of Women, which articulates the specific rights, needs, and support required by women in their working and general lives.

However, notwithstanding notable progress in promoting gender equality as evidenced by the existence of enabling policies, women continue to suffer different forms of discrimination. The economic and social contributions made by women in the family, workplace, and society generally tend to be undervalued. An assessment of the Philippine labor market reveals such persistent gender deficits.

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Title: Holding Up Half the Sky? Exploring the Links Between Reproductive Health Access and Women’s Labor Market Participation
Researcher: Maria Isabel D. Artajo, Frances Camille G. Dumalaog, Malorie Joy Mones