Section 15August 7, 2009, Sec./Art. 15

There shall be incorporated after Section 37 of Republic Act No. 6657, as amended, a new section to read as follows:

"SEC. 37-A. Equal Support Services for Rural Women. - Support services shall be extended equally to women and men agrarian reform beneficiaries.

"The PARC shall ensure that these support services, as provided for in this Act, integrate the specific needs and well-being of women farmer- beneficiaries taking into account the specific requirements of female family members of farmer- beneficiaries.

"The PARC shall also ensure that rural women will be able to participate in all community activities. To this effect, rural women are entitled to self-organization in order to obtain equal access to economic opportunities and to have access to agricultural credit and loans, marketing facilities and technology, and other support services, and equal treatment in land reform and resettlement schemes.

"The DAR shall establish and maintain a women's desk, which will be primarily responsible for formulating and implementing programs and activities related to the protection and promotion of women's rights, as well as providing an avenue where women can register their complaints and grievances principally related t o their rural activities."