SUBJECT TITLE : Community Engagement, Solidarity, and Citizenship

MODULE TITLE : Gender Equality

MODULE NO :9
NOMINAL DURATION : 4 Hours
LEARNING OBJECTIVES : At the end of this module, the student will be able to:
1. discuss the difference between sex and gender and the circumstances that led to gender roles and
stereotypes; and
2. promote awareness of gender equality in communities.

MODULE CONTENT:
Gender Equality and Equity
Gender equality and equity are among the core human rights that are most valued by the UN. According
to the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), “a fundamental principle of the United
Nations Charter adopted by world leaders in 1945 is equal rights
of men and women, and protecting and promoting women’s
human rights is the responsibility of all states.” With this, it is
globally acknowledged that women’s rights are human rights. This The respect, protection, and fulfilment of
recognition is very important since human rights- in the greater human rights have become an indicator
part of history- are only often associated with the rights of men, for political performances and
and not of women. governance at home and abroad. It has
To illustrate, scholars Suriyasarn, Terhost, and Haspels also become the process to achieve
(2006) explain that women in numerous traditional Asian cultures human development.
are expected to maintain different standards of behaviour and
morality compared to their male counterparts. The scholars have
found that public life is still considered the domain of men, while
women are expected to be subservient to their fathers, husbands,
brothers, and other men in terms of decision-making at home, at work, in the community, and in other public
spheres. Such differences are usually reflected in women’s devotion in household chores and family care, an in
their limited mobility due to safety and concerns of “protecting virginity.” In contrast, men are expected to relax
after work and engage in leadership positions outside home, and are encouraged to go out with friends and
exercise their sexual freedom. However, this unequal relationship does not stop here. According to OHCHR (2016)
and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), millions of women and girls around the world continue to
experience discrimination in the following instances:
● Many countries still have discriminatory laws and policies that prohibit women from equal access to land,
property, housing, and inheritance.
● Despite some progress in women’s wages in the 1990s, women still earn less than men, even for similar
kinds of work. Economic and social discrimination also results to fewer and poorer life choices for women,
which makes them vulnerable to human trafficking. In fact, thousands of women and girls are trafficked
for prostitution and forced labor to Japan, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Marianas.
● Gender-based violence, such as domestic violence and rape, affects at least 30 percent women (aged 15
to 44 years old) globally. Such gender-based violence results into women’s death or disability. Worse,
many perpetrators go unpunished.
● Women are denied their sexual and reproductive health rights.
● Of the 23, million refugees in the world, 80 percent are women and children.
● Women human rights defenders are ostracized by their communities and are seen as a threat to religion,
honor, or culture.
● Women’s crucial role in peace and security is often overlooked, and so are the particular risks they face in
conflict situations.
● Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rates are rapidly increasing among women. Among those
15 to 24 years of age, young women now constitute the majority of those newly infected, due in part of
their economic and social vulnerability.
Thus, it is for these persistent reasons that the UN General Assembly created the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1979. Likewise, the SDG provides for the achievement of
gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls (goal 5). But is gender equality and equity in the first
place?
According to the International Labour Office (ILO), gender equality entails the freedom of human beings-
both men and women- to develop their personal abilities and make choices without the limitations set by gender
stereotypes, rigid gender roles, and prejudices. However, ILO (2007) emphasizes that gender equality does not
imply men and women becoming the same. What is underscored is that their rights, responsibilities, and

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opportunities must not be dependent on whether a person is born a male or a female; and that the different
behaviours, aspirations, and needs of both men and women be equally considered, valued, and favoured,. Thus,
gender equality is not a women's issue, but should concern and fully engage men and women.
Gender equity, on the other hand, means fairness of treatment for men and women according to their
respective needs (ILO 2007). This entails the process of impartially allocating resources, programs, and decision-
making to both males and females without any discrimination on the basis of sex; and of addressing any
imbalances in the benefits available to males and females (CAAWS 2013).

Sex and Gender

The concept of gender equality and equity can be better understood by knowing the difference between
sex and gender. Sex refers to the biological and physiological differences between males and females that are
determined by nature; thus, it is given, universal, and is unalterable. On the other hand, gender refers to the set of
social norms, practices, and institutions that regulate relations between men and women, which vary and change
across cultures and time.
In terms of ex, a person is determined to be male, female, or in some cases, a hermaphrodite through the
investigation of that person’s anatomical structure. But when it comes to gender, this is where the stereotypical
concept of masculinity (how it is to be a man) and femininity (how it is to be a woman) takes shape. This concept
of masculinity and femininity varies across cultures and time; thus, it is possible that one’s sex does not necessarily
follow one’s gender.

Masculine Feminine
Adventurous Home-buddy
Aggressive Shy
Strong Weak
Rough Gentle
Impatient Tolerant
Rational Emotional
Intelligent Intuitive
Self-centered/Egoistic Altruistic/Caring
Ambitious Satisfied
Authoritative submissive
Table 1: Traditional Gender Stereotypes
The typical gender order through which many societies in the world operate on is patriarchy, a form of
social organizations in which males dominate over females. Through patriarchy, systematic gender roles and
division of labor have been created based on gender stereotypes associated with one’s sex. This means that clear-
cut roles and division of labor have been assigned to men and women.

Male Female
Chef Cook
Policeman Metermaid
President Secretary
Professor Teacher
Leader Servant
Doctor Nurse/Pharmacist
Executive work Clerical Work
Businessman Employee
Public servant Home Servant
Athlete Sport Spectator/Fan
Construction worker Domestic Worker
Father as Ultimate Provider Mother as Care Giver
Chivalrous Knight in Shining Beautiful Damsel in Distress
Armor
Table 2: Division of General Roles and Labor Based on Gender Stereotypes
Such divisions determine access to benefits and decision-making, which create an unequal distribution of
wealth, power, and prestige between men and women. Given this situation and the gender order that operates
under a patriarchal system, men enjoy more wealth, power, and prestige over women. This difference, in turn,
fuels the perpetuation of gender inequality and inequity.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

In order to achieve equality and equity, one must ensure that the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is respected, protected, and fulfilled. The CEDAW is a legally

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binding international human rights agreement among different states on women’s rights. It has a total of 30
articles and was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 December 1979. In the Philippines, it was ratified on 5
August 1981 and it entered into force on 3 September 1981. As of March 2006, a total of 182 countries have
ratified the convention. The CEDAW requires the states parties to recognize the important economic and social
contributions to the family and society. It stresses the need for a change in attitude, through education of both
men and women, so that men and women will have rights and responsibilities and that prejudice and practices
based on gender stereotypes are overcome. The core principles of the CEDAW are equality of opportunity and
equality of outcomes.

CEDAW guarantees men and women freedom from discrimination in politics, work, and education on the basis of
sex. Its ultimate goal is the freedom of men and women from all forms of gender stereotyping and prejudice.

● Equality of opportunity- All persons should enjoy all human rights on an equal basis, and in their totality.
Men and women should equally enjoy and exercise all fundamental rights and freedoms.
● Equality of outcomes- Because women have specific biological needs different to men and that gender
stereotypes put women at a disadvantage, states should address these biological needs, and at the same
time, eliminate discrimination against women.

The Key Themes and Messages of CEDAW

Basic Principle
Article 1
Discrimination against women shall mean any distinction, exclusion, or restriction made on the basis of sex, which
has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective
of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other field.
Civil, Political, Economic and Social Rights
Article 7: Political and Public Life Article 11: Employment
Governments shall work to eliminate discrimination Governments shall eliminate discrimination against
against women in political and public life, and shall women in the workplace. Women shall have the same
ensure women’s rights to vote, hold office, and actively employment rights as men, and enjoy maternity leave
participate in political parties, lobby groups, and NGOs. and special protection against harmful work during
pregnancy.
Article 8: Participation at the International Level Article 13: Economic Life, Sport, and Culture
Government shall take action to ensure women the Governments shall act to eliminate discrimination
opportunity to represent their government at the against women in the economic and social arenas,
international level and participate in international women shall also have equal access to family benefits,
organizations. loans, and credit, and have an equal right to participate
in recreational activities, sports, and cultural life.
Article 9: Nationality Article 14: Rural Women
Governments shall grant women equal rights to change Governments shall ensure that the particular needs of
or to retain their nationality and that of their children. rural women are met, in relation to access to services,
training and employment opportunities, and social
equity schemes, and act to eliminate discrimination
against them.
Article 15: Equality before the Law
Governments shall give women equality with men before the law, including rights to enter contracts, administer
property, appear in court or before tribunals, and choose residence and domicile.
Reproductive Rights
Article 4: Temporary Special Measures Article 12: Health Care and Family Planning
Governments mat institute affirmative action programs Governments shall eliminate discrimination against
to ensure women’s advancement. This will not be women in health care and provide them with equal
considered discriminatory. access to health care services, including family planning.
Article 16: Marriage and the Law
Governments shall ensure that women and men have equal rights to choose a spouse and to marry; the same
rights and responsibilities within marriage and on divorce; and equal rights in all matters relating to the birth,
adoption, and raising of children.
Cultural Factors on Gender Relations
Article 5: Sex Roles and Stereotyping Article 10: Equal Rights in Education
Governments shall strive to eliminate cultural and Governments shall act to eliminate discrimination
traditional practices that perpetuate discrimination and against women in education. This includes giving

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gender stereotyping of women. women and men equal access to education and
vocational guidance; the same curricula, examinations,
standards for teaching and equipment; and equal
access to scholarships and grants.

However, the CEDAW recognizes that while women are given legal equality (jure), this does not
automatically guarantee that they will, in reality, be treated equally (de facto). Through the CEDAW, states are
permitted to use special measures to combat such inequalities, especially in the private sphere. This is evident in
articles stated under reproductive rights and cultural factors on gender relations. Moreover, the involvement of
men is equally important to support the CEDAW since gender equality and equity are not only issues of women,
but should concern men, too. “Affirming the role of boys and men in promoting gender equality and equity,
believing in men’s capacity for change, and supporting their individual and collective efforts for positive change are
critical elements in advancing gender equality and equity” (UN 2008).

ASSIGNMENT:
1. What are your thoughts and feelings on gender equality and equity?(10pts)
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2. What personal experiences do you have in relation to gender stereotyping, gender
socialization, and division of gender roles?(10pts.)
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3. What can you do to promote gender equality and equity?(10pts)
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REFERENCES:
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/
https://pcw.gov.ph/cedaw-committee/
Diana J. Mendoza, PhD and Ma. Lourdes F. Melegrito, PhD Cand.; Ronaldo B. Mactal, PhD. Community Engagement,
Solidarity, and Citizenship (The Padayon Series). https://h.phoenix.com.ph/senior_high/zeal-for-action-
community-engagement-solidarity-and-citizenship-the-padayon-series/

Prepared by: Ms. Necie Mae M. Agana/Ms. Jessa S. Gonzales

EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT/PERFORMANCE TASK:
DATE SUBMITTED:
NAME OF STUDENT:

BCT LEARNING MODULES S.Y. 2020-2021 4

STRAND:
MODULE NUMBER: 9

Instructions: Answer the following questions…..

1. What is the difference between gender equality and equity?(10pts)
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2. What pieces of evidence show that gender inequality still exists? Give specific examples.(20pts)
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3. What is the difference between sex and gender?(10pts)

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