The Commission on Human Rights, as the country’s Gender Ombud, expressed disappointment with the veto on the Gender Responsive Restroom Program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit, the focal commissioner on Women’s Human Rights and Gender Equality, said they consider the program a key gender and human rights item in the General Appropriations Bill of 2022.
Under the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act No. 9710, all government agencies are mandated to adopt gender mainstreaming as a strategy to promote women’s human rights and eliminate gender inequality.
Such entails the conduct of gender analysis to pursue programs, activities, and projects that respond to the identified gender issues of the agency, Gomez-Dumpit said.
The DOTr’s mandate includes ensuring fast, safe, efficient, and reliable transportation services, she noted.
Apart from the Magna Carta of Women, gender-inclusive restrooms are also implemented under Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act.
The appropriations item sought to address a specific gender and human rights issue meant to recognize the diversity of DOTr clients and ensure safe access to essential facilities without discrimination.
“Efforts showing commitment to gender equality and non-discrimination deserve support through the provision of sufficient resources. The DOTr should be recognized and supported for this exemplary exercise of gender mainstreaming in the fulfillment of its mandate,” the CHR official said.