Proposed GAD code nears finalization after public hearings, aims for passage before Women’s Day in March

TAGUIG CITY - The proposed Bangsamoro Gender and Development (GAD) Code, which seeks to promote gender equality and protect the rights of all individuals in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is nearing completion after a series of public hearings.

Parliament Bill No. 336, introduced by the Government of the Day, addresses gender inequality across all genders, not just women.

Once passed, the GAD Code will be the first comprehensive legal framework in BARMM to promote gender equality, addressing concerns such as gender-based violence, economic inequality, and discrimination. It will provide protections and equal opportunities for women, men, and marginalized groups.

Committee Chair Diamila Disimban-Ramos said the GAD Code is “not just for women—it’s for everyone,” emphasizing that the law seeks to ensure all individuals, regardless of gender identity, have access to the same opportunities and legal protections.

The proposed code includes seven chapters and 156 sections, with provisions covering gender-based violence, healthcare access, education, employment, and social security. It also integrates Islamic principles to align the promotion of gender equality with the region’s cultural and religious beliefs.

Stakeholders in Metro Manila have raised several suggestions, including the inclusion of gender-inclusive mechanisms in transitional justice processes, as proposed by Somaya Kali Padilla of the UP Diliman Muslim Student’s Association, and provisions to empower men in household work, suggested by Advisor Salimah Saudagar of Mujaddidat.

Queenie Padilla called for more support for women’s shelters, citing the alarming statistic that 1 in 4 Filipino women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced domestic or intimate partner violence.

Ramos noted that the public hearing held in Metro Manila was an opportunity to gather feedback on the specific challenges faced by Muslim-Filipino women, particularly those living outside Muslim-majority areas.

Bangsamoro Women Commission Chairperson Bainon Karon, who led the drafting of the proposed code, emphasized the importance of empowering women affected by discrimination and violence, enabling them to make decisions and contribute to the region’s development.

Once enacted, the GAD Code will serve as a framework for gender-sensitive policies in BARMM, ensuring fair treatment and access to services for all residents.

The committee is set to meet next week to begin deliberations on the proposed code and incorporate the feedback gathered from stakeholders.

Ramos said the goal is to submit the report in the plenary this February, with hopes of passing it before International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025.

The code’s passage still requires review, debate, and approval by all 80 Bangsamoro lawmakers, with the final decision depending on the time needed for full parliamentary deliberations. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)