VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte yesterday said early or premarital pregnancy should not hinder teenage girls from completing their studies.
Duterte made the statement in a speech she delivered as the world celebrated the International Women’s Day, which is celebrated annually on March 8 to highlight the women-related issues, among them gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
President Marcos Jr. paid tribute to First Lady Lisa Araneta-Marcos and women members of his Cabinet led by Duterte as he recognized their roles and contributions to the country.
“We salute our women who continue to show courage and determination in their homes, jobs, and communities! Happy International Women’s Day!” the President said in a message posted in his social media accounts.
A picture of the women in his Cabinet — which includes Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, along with Araneta-Marcos and Duterte, accompanied the post.
In an event in Taguig City celebrating women, Duterte recalled her visit to the Pikit National High School in North Cotabato, where she learned that only 63 percent of learners have been attending classes, with the remaining 37 percent being constantly absent due to peace and order problems and teenage pregnancy, among other problems.
“You go to your principal, and you ask your principal, ‘What can you do for me? I am pregnant, but I want to continue my studies,’” she said as she stressed that being pregnant outside of marriage should not hinder teenage girls from pursuing their education.
Aside from formal schooling, Duterte said they can also get skills training and enroll in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System.
“DepEd is also making sure that teenage mothers who have dropped out of formal school to take care of their children are provided with a second chance to finish basic education and pursue their dreams through the Alternative Learning System or pursue technical skills training through our TESDA programs,” she said.
Last month, the Population Commission raised alarm over children as young as 10 years old getting pregnant, noting that 2,534 births were recorded from the 10 to 14 age group bracket in 2020. The figure slightly declined to 2,299 in 2021.
In 2021, 133,000 minor-led families covering adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 were also reported.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) called on all private sector establishments to make sure there is gender equality in workplaces and that female workers are well protected.
In its Labor Advisory No. 3-2023, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma called on all employers to formulate policies and practices to promote gender equality and protection of women workers in workplaces.
“All employers are hereby reminded to ensure the promotion of gender equality considering the diversity in the workplace through the implementation of laws, policies, and programs,” said Laguesma.
This, he said, include upholding the principles of equal pay for equal work and equal access to work-related resources and opportunities.
Laguesma also said that workplaces must consider the protection of women workers from risks and hazards in the workplaces, through a comprehensive and effective Occupational Safety and Health Program.
He also urged firms to facilitate women employees’ access to women-related leave benefits, such as maternity leave, parental leave for solo parents, leave for victims of violence against women and their children, and special leave for women, among others.
