Mandatory lessons on Women’s, children’s rights proposed

A Baguio councilor is pushing for the inclusion of classroom activities on women’s rights for junior and high school students and classroom activities on children’s rights for elementary students.

Councilor Lilia Fariñas has filed an ordinance that, once approved, will require the inclusion of the following Philippine laws on women’s rights and children’s rights into the lessons of learners both in public and private schools in the city:

The Rights of a Child under Article 3 of Presidential Decree No. 603 or the “Child and Youth Welfare Code”;

Republic Act No. 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”;

Republic Act No. 9262 or the “Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004”;

Republic Act 9710 or the ”Magna Carta of Women”; and

other related laws on women and children.

Fariñas said it is incumbent upon the government and the learning institutions to provide vital information and knowledge on these rights.

Following its approval on first reading, the proposed ordinance was referred to the Sanggunian’s Committee on Education, Culture, and Historical Research for further study. -Jordan G. Habbiling