Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed Senate Bill No. 2088, otherwise known as the Gender Responsive and Inclusive Pandemic Management Act of 2021, on International Women’s Day to create programs and protocols that address the unique needs of women during disasters and public health emergencies.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, thanked her fellow women Senators Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Leila de Lima, Imee Marcos, Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar for coming together as fellow authors of the bill. She said this is a perfect example of ‘how important it is for women to look out for each other’.

“I am grateful to my fellow women colleagues who, by supporting this bill, make the voice for women louder in government. Ito ay pakikiisa at pakikibaka para sa mga kapwa-Pilipina namin. We are a proud united front in the fight for women,” she said.

The Gender Responsive and Inclusive Pandemic Management Act of 2021 aims to enforce access to social protections and safety nets, involve women in the formulation of guidelines in the national management of the pandemic, ensure access to and the continuous functioning of gender desks and health services, and appropriate funds to secure these programs, among others.

“Women are experiencing a pandemic unique to us. Gender-related violence, economic disempowerment, unexpected pregnancies, and human trafficking are only a handful of the issues. Ang kababaihan din ay sabay-sabay naging guro, homemaker, breadwinner. Kung sino pa yung may pinaka-mabigat na responsibilidad ngayon, siya pa ang kinakalimutan,” she said.

“Women are on the frontlines of where our COVID response is failing. Kailangan natin kaming pakinggan. Kung gusto natin makabangon, ang susi ay sa pagtugon sa dami ng paghihirap na hinaharap ng kababaihan,” she said.

As the end of the pandemic is still uncertain, Hontiveros said she will commit to prioritize the bill should it be referred to her committee. She believes any hope of recovery ‘must begin with women’.

“Itong magiging batas na ito ay para sa mga nanay, nars, barangay health workers, manggagawa, domestic workers, mga biktima ng sekswal at pisikal na pangaabuso, at mga wala sa oras na nabuntis dahil sa kawalan ng maayos na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Ito ay para sa bawat Pilipina, ngayon at sa mga susunod na henerasyon, upang hindi ulit mangyari ang pagdudurusa na naranasan namin ngayong COVID-19 pandemic,” she concluded.