SWEDISH Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries lauded the Philippine Senate for the passage of Senate Bill 1305, or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017.
“That’s good [passage of the bill],” Fries said during a media roundtable held on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, which coincides with the 70th year of Sweden-Philippine diplomatic relations.
Fries, who is married to a Filipina, however, noted the additional 60 more days of maternity leave, or a total of 120 days, is somehow “not equal, or unbalanced” for the days of leave given to the fathers.
If passed into law, fathers would also benefit from the measure, as it seeks to grant them 30 days of leave—more than the allowed seven days of paid leave, under Republic Act 7322.
Under the bill, all female workers, regardless of civil status or legitimacy of her child, shall be granted 120 days maternity leave with pay, and an option to extend it for another 30 days without pay; while under the current law, expectant mothers are allowed only 60 days of paid leave. Single mothers shall also be granted a total of 150 days maternity leave with pay.
He shared that the contrast in situations here in the Philippines and in Sweden is far apart when it comes to maternity leaves.
He said his country provides 480 days of leaves, of which 240 days are for fathers. Ninety days of parental leave for fathers are nontransferrable.
“Ninety percent of fathers actually use their leaves,” he said.
Gender equality
Fries stressed that gender equality is one of the cornerstones of Swedish society. The aim of that country’s gender-equality policies is “to ensure that women and men enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all areas of life”.
“The overarching principle is that everyone, regardless of gender, has the right to work and support his or herself, to balance career and family life, and to live without the fear of abuse or violence,” he said.
Fries went further by saying, “Gender equality implies not only equal distribution between men and women in all domains of society. It is also about the qualitative aspects: ensuring that the knowledge and experience of both men and women are used to promote progress in all aspects of society.”
He was also impressed with Filipina women who are holding positions in the office of both public and private, and was surprised to learn about the news about the eight lady cadets who were among the top 10 officers in the Philippine Military Academy.
Feminist foreign policy
Fries shared Sweden’s feminist foreign policy, which was signed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate Isabella Lövin and Minister for Eurpoean Union Affairs and Trade Ann Linde, states that: “Sweden’s feminist government aims to ensure that women and men have the same power to shape society and their own lives. This is a goal in itself.”
It adds: “But it is also essential for the achievement of any other objective. Gender equality has improved all over the world. The proportion of women in parliaments is increasing. More girls go to school.“
However, Fries noted that the three officials feel the commitments made at the World Conference on Women in 1995 are far from being fulfilled: “Violence, oppression and systematic subordination still mark the daily lives of countless women and girls. Sweden wants this discrimination to end.”
“That is why we are making Sweden the first country in the world to pursue a feminist foreign policy. This policy takes us one step further. Throughout our foreign policy, including peace, security, trade and development efforts, we will apply a systematic gender perspective. By doing so, we can contribute to real progress for gender equality and for the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls,” they noted.
In addition, “We, therefore, need to collect accurate data and conduct analyses that shed light on gender power relations and the inequalities that different groups of women and girls face. By applying this deeper, broader and more systematic approach, we intend to develop our feminist foreign policy, and achieve results that strengthen the rights, representation and resources of all women and girls.”
“Sweden wants this discrimination to end. That is why we are making Sweden the first country in the world to pursue a feminist foreign policy,” he quoted the three women.
“This policy takes us one step further: Throughout our foreign policy, including peace, security, trade and development efforts, we will apply a systematic gender perspective. By doing so, we can contribute to real progress for gender equality and for the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls. A cornerstone in our efforts is knowledge.
“We, therefore, need to collect accurate data and conduct analyses that shed light on gender power relations and the inequalities that different groups of women and girls face. By applying this deeper, broader and more systematic approach, we intend to develop our feminist foreign policy and achieve results that strengthen the rights, representation and resources of all women and girls,“ he echoed the policy.
Foreign-service action plan
Fries also revealed that they have Swedish Foreign Service action plan for feminist foreign policy 2015-2018.
The following objectives he said will promote the achievement of the following objectives for all women and girls: (1) Full enjoyment of human rights; (2) Freedom from physical, psychological and sexual violence; (3) Participation in preventing and resolving conflicts, and post-conflict peace-building; (4) Political participation and influence in all areas of society; (5) Economic rights and empowerment; and (6) Sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The action plan, he explained, sets six long-term objectives for the Foreign Service’s work on the feminist foreign policy.
“These are broad objectives to match broad challenges, cover the entire global agenda and bring the whole gamut of foreign-policy tools into play. The Foreign Service will build new partnerships and alliances, including governments, civil-society organizations and the private sector, for effective implementation of the action plan and international gender-equality commitments,” Fries went further.
“The Foreign Service,” he pointed out, “will also include men and boys in the process of change. This is crucial to bring about the real and sustainable change required to achieve both gender equality and new power relations. Discriminatory gender norms and practices prevent women and girls, but also men and boys, from achieving their full potential and from contributing to positive social development.”
Equality between women and men, according to him, is a fundamental aim of Swedish foreign policy. “Ensuring that all women and girls can enjoy their human rights is an obligation within the framework of our international commitments. But it is also a matter of reason and efficiency.”
“No sustainable peace, security or development can be achieved if half the population is excluded,” he noted.