DLLU Holds Brown Bag Session on Magna Carta of Women

DLLU personnel and interns at the Brown Bag Session that tackled the Magna Carta of Women.

MANILA 10 March 2025 — In celebration of the 2025 National Women’s Month and International Women’s Day, the Department Legislative Liaison Unit (DLLU) of the Department of Foreign Affairs organized a Brown Bag Session with a theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas” on 07 March, 2025.

During his opening remarks, Assistant Secretary Zaldy B. Patron stressed the importance of commemorating the National Women’s Month by carrying out Gender and Development (GAD) activities that aim to promote gender equality and awareness in an inclusive workplace environment. 

DLLU Legislative Liaison Specialist and resource speaker, Atty. Justine Kaye O. Solano, led the discussion on the topic “Magna Carta of Women and Ways to Make the Office a Safe Space for Women” by shedding light on the importance of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women. She emphasized that the law’s nomenclature, “of Women” and not simply “for Women,” underscores the law’s objective of empowering women beyond mere legal recognition. 

Likewise, Atty. Solano discussed some of the specific provisions of the Magna Carta of Women. She shared the observation that discrimination in the workplace has also evolved into a more subtle form – benevolent sexism –  as she presented scenarios that depict behaviors or statements capable of undermining a woman's autonomy. 

During the open forum, Assistant Secretary Patron highlighted the importance of having GAD focal persons in the different offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and in ensuring that there is mutual respect among all gender identities in the workplace. 

Moreover, he stressed the DLLU’s commitment to hold similar events that would enhance GAD awareness and mainstreaming, as well as foster deeper camaraderie, among its personnel. END

DLLU Assistant Secretary Zaldy B. Patron awarding a Certificate of Appreciation to Legislative Liaison Specialist Atty. Justine Kaye O. Solano for serving as the lecturer at the DLLU’s Brown Bag Session.

DLLU Legislative Liaison Specialist Atty. Justine Kaye O. Solano during her presentation.