Strengthening Gender Equality in Law: SOGIE Bill’s Effectiveness to Combat Discrimination

and Reduce Inequality in the Philippines

INTRODUCTION

The SM Cares organized the Global Youth Summit 2018 in partnership with UNICEF, held
in SM Mall of Asia Arena with more than 19,000 count of youth leaders rooting for the Sustainable
Development Goals (SGDs). The United Nations Development Programme have established
Sustainable Development Goals that has its vision to be achieved by year 2030 with the intention
to convene global community in combatting social development issues which lingers within the
wrestle ground of the Philippines. However, SDG 10 entitled as Reduce Inequalities aims to
resolve unequal opportunities, treatments, and discrimination globally. Vast cases of inequalities
such as gender discrimination have constantly result to serious mental disorders. Conversely,
Senate Bill No. 689 also known as the SOGIE Bill was thoroughly filed and introduced in the
Philippines by former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. The acronym stands for Sexual
Orientation and Gender Identity of Expression as it primarily aims to eliminate discrimination
among the LGBTQIA+ community. It also protects the rights and freedom of people to express
regardless of their biological attributes, gender identity, age, social status, health considerations,
religious participation, ethnical blood and political ideology. The SOGIE Bill aims to reinstate the
ideals of Article III in the 1987 Philippine Constitution under the Bill of Rights with the protection
clause, Section 1. “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of
law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.” Despite some religions
objecting the bill’s proposal into law, Bishop Solito Toquiero of the National Council of the
Churches Philippines that the Christian Community supports the principles of the SOGIE Bill
(Moya, 2022). According to the International Labour Organization, the current status of
predicament in the Philippines is still evident up to the present time where Indigenous people are
treated insignificantly; Not letting these people “benefit from the fruits of development” and
chastising such native groups to discrimination and marginalization. Furthermore, SOGIE Bill is
an inevitable tool to combat discrimination and inequalities.

A wealthy, peaceful, and sustainable society depends on gender equality, which is one of
the fundamental human rights. The pool of potential talent for production is reduced by gender
inequality, which also affects an individual’s access to education, employment, entrepreneurship,
and innovation (Petalcorin & Kim, 2021).

The Asian Development Bank of the Philippines (2013) stated that gender inequality is
immensely visible in the labor market. The employment growth in the Philippines have remained
uninclusive of women due to gender disparity, supporting the thought that women have been
constantly taken for granted in their respective workplace.

Students from the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines experience bullying and
violence in relation to their gender preference. De Santos (2017) quotes the experiences of students
who suffered from violence such as being punched, mocked up to leading in the case of depression.
Hence, schools have failed to orient students about gender differences and providing
discriminatory policies as a supplement in suppression to bullying.

CONCLUSION

Various factors interact with one another and prevent marginalized groups from seeking
growth. Gender inequality and differences in the realization of sexual and reproductive health and
rights are the two crucial aspects; The latter, in particular, currently receives insufficient attention.
These are significant aspects that call for much more action, but none fully explains the extent of
inequality in the modern world. Without such action, numerous men, would continue to be trapped
in a cycle of poverty, limited capabilities, unmet human rights, and possible opportunities. Thus,
it significantly justify that the SOGIE Bill has the power to combat discrimination and reduce
inequalities, not only in the Philippines but in the global community.
 REFERENCES

Article III - Bill of Rights. (n.d.). THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE
PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE III. https://doi.org/Official Gazette
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/
Moya, J. (2022, December 29). SOGIE Equality Bill: Everything You Need To Know—
Supporters, Origins, And More. Tatler Asia. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from
https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/arts/pride-month-2021-sogie-equality-bill-timelin
Pangilinan, F. N. (n.d.). Senate Bill 689. AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION ON THE
BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION (SOGIE)
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR. https://doi.org/Eighteenth Congress of the
Republic of the Philippines
Petalcorin, C. C., & Kim, J. (2021). Female Entrepreneurship and Gender Equality: Literature
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United Nations Development Programme. (2023). Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved
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(2023).