GENDER EQUALITY IN PHILIPPINES

A Term Paper
Submitted to:
Mrs.Noralin A. Calil
Philippine Integrated School (PIS) foundation Inc.
Bangon Marawi City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Course

English for Academic and Professional Purposes
S.Y 2022-2023

Submitted by:
Saipoden, Wasil M.

November, 2022

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 OUTLINE

I. ISSUES FUELING GENDER INEQUALITY

A. Unequal Pay

B. Sexual Harassment

C. Racism

II. CAUSE OF GENDER INEQUALITY IN WORK

A. Women are promoted less often than men

B. Fear of asking to be paid what you're worth

C. Women cannot become a boss

III. BENEFITS OF GENDER EQUALITY

A. Gender equality is good for children

B. Gender equality is good for men

C. Gender equality is good for marginalized racial group

•Racism. •Discrimination

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 Introduction

Gender equality is when people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and
Opportunities. Everyone is affected by gender inequality women, men, trans and gender diverse people,
children and families. It impacts people of all ages and backgrounds.

Gender equality, also known as sexual equality or equality of the sexes, is the state of equal ease
of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and
decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of
gender.

Gender equality is the goal, while gender neutrality and gender equity are practices and ways of
thinking that help in achieving the goal. Gender parity, which is used to measure gender balance in a given
situation, can aid in achieving gender equality but is not the goal in and of itself. Gender equality is more
than just equal representation, it is strongly tied to women's rights, and often requires policy changes. As
of 2017, the global movement for gender equality has not incorporated the proposition of genders besides
women and men, or gender identities outside of the gender binary.

Gender equality definition is the state in which access to rights or opportunities is unaffected by
gender. It’s not only women who are affected by gender inequality all genders are impacted, including men,
trans and gender-diverse people. This in turn impacts children and families, and people of all ages and
backgrounds.

Equality in gender does not mean that women and men will have or need the exact same resources,
but that women’s, men’s, trans people’s and gender-diverse people’s rights, responsibilities and
opportunities will not depend on their assigned gender at birth.

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 An Overview of the Gender Situation in the Philippines
The gender situation in the Philippines is characterized by sharp contradictions It graphically
showcases samples of women’s advancement in politics, academic and professional excellence, and even
legislation. But this is contrasted by images of prostituted women, battered wives, economically
disadvantaged women and exploited migrant workers. The socio-cultural traditions are clashing with the
MTV and cyberspace generation. The long history of colonialism has embedded a patriarchal culture among
Filipinos.

The conception of women as full-time homemakers, as subordinated to men, violence against them
is private, as reserve labor force, and as sexual objects is now being eroded by modern women asserting
themselves in many aspects of life.

But on the other hand, some are either marginalized, discriminated, or even exploited by the harsh realities
of global economy and consumerism.

Both the changes and the inertia of traditions are the backdrop of a very active and dynamic
women’s movement. The Philippines is a main player in the international women’s arena and this is
anchored on a very vibrant local women’s movement.

Numerous organizations and NGOs exist for the cause of gender equality and other related women issues.

This puts the gender equality issues at the forefront of national discourse and precludes further downslide
of women status in the modern Philippine society. Indeed, there are many handles for the changes to
happen.

These legal and policy gains resulted from the strong voice of women that started even during the
anti-dictatorship struggle that culminated with the ascension of Corazon Aquino as the first woman
president of the country.

The 1987 Constitution states two prominent provisions. The first in the Declaration of Principles
Article II Section 14 which asserted that "The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building and
shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men." Additionally, the Article XIII-
Labor: Section 14 provided that "The state shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful
working conditions taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that
will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation".

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 Following from constitutional provisions and the subsequent efforts to broaden the its principles,
numerous legislations were enacted that relates to the various aspects of women and gender concerns,
the list include:

•Gender and Development Law (5% of government agencies' budget is for gender concerns)

• Party-List Law (women as a particular sector for representation in the legislature through party-list
elections)

•Anti-Sexual Harassment Law (defining SH and providing mechanisms)

•Anti-Rape Law (elevation of rape as crime against person)

•Barangay Day Care Center Law (day care center for every village)

•Women in Nation-Building Law (allocation of budget for women from development funds from foreign
governments and multilateral institutions)

•Anti Mail-Order-Bride Law (making the practice unlawful)

•Repatriation Law (repatriation of Filipinas who lost citizenship by marriage in case of need)

•Non-Discrimination Law in Labor Code (women protection in hiring and pay)

• Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (equal rights for women to be recipients of land)

• Military Training equality (women can enter the military and police schools and providing facilities for
them) While the legal framework is there, the actual situation mirrors the deep gender divide.

In the aspect of women in politics, the notable success of several women is overshadowed by the
actual ground level statistics. The lady Vice-President is up to now a shoo-in in the next presidential
elections in 2004.

But the big picture shows that of all the elective positions occupied through the 1998 elections, only 15%
are women.

In the two-chamber Congress, the Senate (Upper House) has 17.4% women membership (4 out of
23 seats) which the House of Representatives (Lower House) has 12.4% (27 out of 217 seats). The first
party-list elections in 1998--wherein sectoral groups like women competed to get a maximum of 3 seats per
party in the House of Representatives resulted in the winning of one (1) seat for a single women's party.

Five other women's party did not make the minimum votes required. At the local government level,
women Provincial Governors constitute 17% while Vice-Governors are at 11.5% level. Among the City and
Town Mayors, 14.5% of them are women while the ranks of the Vice-Mayors are at low of 10.8%.

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 The labor force statistics show also a mixed picture. Since there was a notable feminization of the
workforce in the past years, July 2000 figures showed that there are 1.942 million unemployed women
while there are 2.631 million unemployed men. However, more women are taken in for labor flexibility
arrangements especially in the big services sector like in retail trade. This leaves them exposed to
employment insecurity and unfair compensation schemes.

Women still accounts for 53% of the unpaid family workers while they constitute only 37.7% of the
wage and salary earners. Though this shows that the regular income possibilities for women are still limited,
the average household annual income of female-headed families is higher. The situation also pushes them
to seek employment overseas. Increasing numbers of domestic helpers and entertainers are also being
deployed both legally and illegally.

Within organizations, the gender balance is under overhaul. Trade union leadership is still male-
dominated but women committees and affirmative actions have changed the complexion of decision-
making. The public sector unions have made great inroads as four (4) of the major federations are under
the strong leadership of women. However, the social fabric remains tainted by arrogance of male power.
Police statistics remains indicative of the traditional ways of how women are seen in the social and family
context. In 1998, 6,518 cases of violence against women were reported with rape accounting for 1,054
cases and physical injuries at a high of 2,633 cases. Last year, the former was pegged at 13.79% and the
latter reached 35.17% of the cases reported.

In response to problems that continue to face the Filipina, numerous civil society groups were
organized and pioneering projects were initiated. The vocal women’s movement was instrumental in the
enactment of the laws that seek to protect women and broaden their role in the society. Sub-sectoral
groupings of women guaranteed the articulation of specific interests and agendas while issue-based
networks and coalitions advocated and lobbied to policy-makers and legislators. The campaign for the
sexual harassment and the anti-rape laws saw the synergy of the different organizational forms within the
women’s movement. Their current engagement deals with the law that deals with domestic violence,
abortion and divorce. Such advocacy work is also complemented with concrete projects at the ground level.
Community-based groups tackle violence against women, rural and urban women establish economic
undertakings that help them increase their income, wives and families of migrant workers establish their
own savings and insurance network, and crisis centers are organized in some parts of the country. Even
prostituted women have found both protection and solidarity within their organizations. These activities have
seen successes and failures but they constitute as challenges to the socio-cultural bondage and blinders
that up to this age of Internet and globalization has victimize the Filipina. The gender situation in the
Philippines can be describe in sum as:

The legal framework has provided basic frameworks and processes for women empowerment and
gender fairness but the dynamics of political and social institutions reinforced by the cultural standpoints
continue to provide a push-pull effect on gender equality.

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 • Women have made significant advances in politics. Though there may be several factors that tends
to lessen its importance like belonging to a political dynasty, the role of women in national and local
decision-making can no longer be ignored and their competence, in some cases, suits up or even exceeds
that of male politicians.

• The women's voice in the society is very strong due the the vibrant women's movement. Recognized
for their work in the international and national levels, the movement has been instrumental in pushing for
many changes in the various facets of the Philippine society. Additionally, the various organizations have
worked on --with pioneering educational approaches and service-specific projects-- the "culture shift" of
both men and women.

•. The statistics on women remain indicative of the deep-rooted and widespread problems they
encounter in their daily lives. The labor market has stereotyped women, disadvantaged them in jobs and
incomes, and even forced them into prostitutions and slave-like work. The social image of a Filipina is still
that of a weak person, poster girl of domestic help, expert in double burden, and a sexual object. While the
mainframe of gender politics is changing, the struggle of women to escape from the traditional mold
everyday life continues.

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 Issues Fueling Gender Inequality

Sexual harassment

An obstacle that many women face in the workforce is sexual harassment. While the #MeToo
movement has helped to shed light on the issue, little had been known, until now, about how many women
are subjected to this type of mistreatment.

A survey conducted in January 2018 by the nonprofit Stop Street Harassment found 38 percent of women
have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, and 81 percent reported experiencing some form
of sexual harassment in their lifetime, including verbal or physical assault.

Racism

Unfortunately, race seems to play a major role in how women are treated and compensated in the
workplace. The pay a woman receives may vary depending on her race and ethnicity. Data from the Institute
for Women’s Policy Research found that Asian/Pacific Islander women have the highest median annual
earnings and are compensated $46,000. White women follow at $40,000, while Native American and
Hispanic women have the lowest pay, earning $31,000 and $28,000 per year. Earnings also vary by race
when compared to what men are compensated.

Women are promoted less often than men

Despite being more educated than men and constituting nearly half of the workforce, women are
promoted at work far less often than men. We know this because women make up less than 5 percent of
CEOs and less than 10 percent of women are top earners in the S&P 500. Women of color are even worse
off, as they are nearly invisible on both S&P 500 boards and Fortune 500 boards.

One reason cited for why more women aren’t moving into higher-up executive-type roles is the lack
of female role models in the workplace. Catalyst.org says that not having a visible role model can make
women feel as if moving into a leadership-type role is simply unattainable.

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Fear of asking to be paid what you’re worth

that women often struggle with asking for higher pay in a job. While related to the issue of unequal
pay, fear of discussing money is a separate issue that affects women more significantly than men. For
women, negotiating pay is often viewed as being greedy or desperate, which leads to hesitation when it
comes to asking for their worth in the workplace.

New research from Glassdoor found women negotiated their pay less often than their male counterparts.
The poll found nearly 70 percent of women accepted the salary they were offered without negotiating, while
only 52 percent of men did the same.

Gender equality prevents violence against women and girls

Gender inequality is a root cause of violence against women. The four main drivers of violence against
women are:

• condoning violence against women

• men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence
• rigid gender roles and stereotypes
• male relationships that emphasize aggression and disrespect towards women

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Benefits of Gender Equality

Gender equality is good for children

According to Melnikoff, D. E., & Valian, V. V Reproductive rights are a key part of gender equality.
When women make their own reproductive choices, their lives improve. They are then able to better care
for the children they do choose to have. Having equal pay with men, women can provide better healthcare,
better food, and better opportunities for their kids. Even if a mother chooses to stay at home with her
children, the effects of gender equality (like equal pay and education) provide a safety net in case she does
need to go to work. Studies also show that infant mortality rates decrease as a woman’s education level
increases. In a world with gender equality, children are set up for success and happiness.

Gender equality is good for marginalized racial groups

Gender-based discrimination has a close relationship with racial discrimination. In most places,
women belonging to marginalized racial groups are treated less equal than other women. The gender pay
gap is a prime example. In the United States, Asian and Caucasian women earn more than Hispanic, black,
and native women. White women are also more likely to get better healthcare and better job opportunities.
That’s why gender equality must be intersectional. This requires an acknowledgment of different
experiences, identities, and the unique discriminations women face. Striving for intersectional gender
equality can help reduce racial discrimination and inequality wherever it’s found.

Gender equality is good for men

Gender equality doesn’t only benefit girls and women; its benefits men, as well. There are a few
key reasons. A man who is perceived as “feminine” is not a “real man” when gender inequality exists. This
leads to toxic masculinity, which is destructive and harmful to everyone. When there’s gender equality, men
have more freedom about how they express themselves. This extends into the career field, as well, since
no job is considered “for women only.” Men receive parental leave and family time without discrimination.
Increased freedom of expression and flexible work choices leads to happiness. With gender equality, men
don’t face as much pressure to fit a stereotype.

Gender equality is good for business and the economy

When girls and women get equal education and job opportunities with men, all of society benefits.
Studies reveal that a diverse workplace is a more productive workplace. That diversity includes gender
diversity. There’s research that shows specifically that businesses that put some women in the top
leadership roles do better than businesses with only men in leadership. That success translates into the
economy as a whole. Closing up gender pay gaps saves a country money. Equal education and jobs also
significantly reduce poverty rates, lifting an entire nation and improving its GDP.

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Gender equality fosters peace
Violence disrupts society at every level. Gender inequality is the source of a lot of violence including
human trafficking and a lack of legal protections for abused women. Improving equality for girls and women
can reduce the amount of violence and provide security for those who are vulnerable. Research also shows
that gender equality is a better indicator of a country’s likelihood to deploy military force than its GDP. As
gender equality improves, a country’s peace improves. In turn, this is important for gender equality because
war disproportionately affects women.

Gender equality gives everyone equal opportunities

According to Johnson, S. K., & Chan, E Education is the key to equal opportunities. In today’s
world, more boys than girls are educated. According to UNICEF, around 1 in 4 girls between 15-19 years
old don’t have a job and are not getting an education or training. For boys, that ratio is 1 in 10. Right from
the beginning, this gives boys better opportunities than girls. Without many options, girls are often forced
into marriages or human trafficking. It is also much harder to leave dangerous relationships and situations
without education to fall back on. When gender equality starts with education, everyone has the opportunity
to improve their lives according to Young, C., (2019).

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 Conclusion

I conclude for overall wellbeing and growth of a nation, scoring high on gender equality is the most
crucial aspect. Countries with less disparity in gender equality have progressed a lot. The government of India
has also started taking steps to ensure gender equality. Several laws and policies are prepared to encourage
girls. “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana” (Save girl, and make girls educated) campaign is created to spread
awareness of the importance of girl child. Several laws to protect girls are also there. However, we need more
awareness of spreading knowledge of women rights. In addition, the government should take initiatives to
check the correct and proper implementation of policies, abuse, bullying and discrimination that is the main
crime that have to be stop by promoting the project Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The
gender snapshot of 2022, I also conclude that gender equality is not just for women also for man and
transgender gender because of gender quality man and trans are also affected of bullying, racism and
discrimination and because of this there so many people were dying everyday so achieving gender equality
is big help for all of us .

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