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GABRIELA pushes for bill declaring March 8 as non-working holiday

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DAVAO CITY – Thousands of women activists and advocates marched the streets of Davao during the International Women’s Day celebration yesterday March 8. This, as Gabriela Women’s Party, pushes for a bill declaring March 8 as a yearly non-working holiday.

The bill is in recognition of the women’s need to participate in recognizing their role in history and national development. According to its proponents, Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus, in many countries around the world, the International Women’s Day is commemorated to recognize women for their contribution to development.

Although a National Women’s Day is observed in the Philippines, working women could not leave their workplaces and join the celebration.  “In order for women to fully commemorate their day, women need a day out of their workplaces without worrying about being fired from work or about the next day’s meal for their family,” the representatives said.

For her part, GABRIELA Chairperson Emeritus Lyda Canson, the bill is good news for women nationwide.

“Marami talagang gustong sumali sa March 8 commemoration, ang magmartsa sa kalsada suot ang kulay ‘purple’ para ipagmalaki ang pagiging babae, ipagpunyagi ang kanilang mga naabot para sa kontribusyon sa lipunang pagbabago, kaya lang ay nakatali sila sa kanilang mga trabaho,” Canson said.

“This bill stresses the recognition of the working women’s role in history. Historically it is the exploitation of women and children that gave life to industries, imagine 12 hours of work under inhumane conditions,” Canson said.

The bill was filed in Congress last January 17 this year.#

For reference:

LYDA CANSON – 0917-374-7577

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