CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6 ancestral domains. Their participation as members of indigenous peoples’ village councils is also being explored. 154. Protection of maternity. Philippine law provides that women in the private sector and public sector be granted maternity leave, whether married or unmarried. For unionized women workers in the private sector, their collective bargaining agreements (CBA) generally include certain maternity-related provisions, such as pregnant women being given flexible schedules, non-assignment to night shift, maternity loan, relief of heavy work load, exemption from wearing company uniform or provision of appropriate uniform during pregnancy, and granting of Social Security System maternity benefits in advance. Free pap smear is also provided for all women members as part of their CBA. 155. Provision of support services for single parents. RA 8972, or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, mandates certain agencies to develop and implement a comprehensive program of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their children. C. REMAINING ISSUES AND CHALLENGES 156. Women in politics and public life. Gender stereotypes among voters, appointing authorities and women themselves should be eliminated, in order to open the political sphere to equal participation by men and women. There is a need to pass a law to address this concern. In the 12th Congress, House Bill No. 4704 and Senate Bills No. 387, 601 and 702 (otherwise known as the Women Empowerment Act) were drafted. Said bills seek to mandate 30-percent representation of women in decision-making positions in government and to reserve at least one-third of the total number of certain appointive positions in the national and local government to qualified women. In addition, it proposes that duly accredited political parties reserve at least one third of its party slate of official candidates to women, and that at least one third of scholarships, grants, fellowships and training in the national and local government agencies or units be reserved for qualified women. Article 5 Sex Roles and Stereotyping Adoption of measures to modify socio-cultural patterns of conduct towards eliminating stereotyped roles for women and men; and ensuring sharing of responsibility in the upbringing and development of children A. SITUATION OF WOMEN 157. Sex role stereotyping remains a stumbling block to women’s full development. The institutions of socialization—home, school, media, church, even government—consciously and unconsciously adhere to beliefs and practices that restrict women’s access to opportunities for personal development and for participation in the development of her community and society. 54