Inihain ni Senador Raffy Tulfo ang Senate Bill No. 1986 o ang Pants for Her Act na naglalayong gawing “option” ang pagsusuot ng pants ng mga babaeng estudyante para maitaguyod umano ang “gender-neutral uniforms” sa mga paaralan.
Ayon kay Tulfo, ang nasabing panukalang batas ay hindi lamang magdudulot ng kaginhawaan sa mga babaeng estudyante bagkus ay maitataguyod din umano nito ang “gender-neutral environment” sa mga eskwelahan.
“Skirts for women and trousers for men have been used as identifiers to differentiate the two genders from one another for decades. In today's social climate, it is imperative that young women are given another alternative to the traditional skirted uniform in order for them to feel comfortable and promote a gender-neutral environment,” ani Tulfo sa kaniyang explanatory note.
Sa ilalim ng Senate Bill No. 1986, lahat ng mga paaralan, kolehiyo, at unibesidad ay nararapat magkaloob sa mga babaeng estudyante ng pamimilian kung nais din nila ang ‘pants’ na maging uniporme bukod sa tradisyunal na skirt.
“Uniform policies need to be developed in such a way that does not foster gender disadvantage and discrimination but encourages equity by extending gender-neutral options to students,” saad ng nasabing panukalang batas.
“In doing so, we ensure students and their parents are fully aware of the choices available and we increase the iikelihood that students wiii wear what they feel most comfortable in. This too can boost self-esteem for girls facing body challenges and emulate psychological well-being,” dagdag nito.