Diocese of Tagum

Queen of Apostles College Seminary

Seminary Drive, Magugpo West, Tagum City, Davao del Norte

“Contemporary Socio-Political Issues”

Presented to
Rev. Fr. Venjie A. Pepe
PHILO 114: Socio-Political Philosophy

Ferniz, Martin Clydez

Malinao, Charles
Tulang, Cesar John P.

Month 2023
Gender Identity and Equality

In recent years, gender identity and equality have emerged as critical socio-political
contemporary issues. It is a complex and multifaceted socio-political issue that has gained
significant attention in that time. It encompasses recognizing and accepting individuals' self-
identified gender, irrespective of their assigned sex at birth. The concept of gender equality aims
to ensure that all individuals have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment, regardless of their
gender identity.

Traditionally, society has predominantly recognized two genders, male and female, based
on biological sex. However, the understanding of gender identity has evolved, acknowledging
that it is not a simple binary concept. Many individuals identify beyond the traditional categories
and embrace diverse gender identities such as non-binary, genderqueer, and more. 1 This
recognition challenges the societal norms and expectations associated with gender, opening up
new avenues for self-expression and acceptance.

Despite some progress made by society in acknowledging and respecting diverse gender
identities, there remain significant gaps and challenges that demand attention. Unfortunately,
discrimination, prejudice, and violence against individuals based on their gender identity persist
in many regions around the globe. Nonetheless, there are ongoing initiatives aimed at tackling
these issues through legal reforms, education, and awareness-raising campaigns.2

Furthermore, achieving true gender equality requires collective efforts from governments,
organizations, communities, and individuals. It is not enough to simply recognize diverse gender
identities; we must actively work towards removing the systemic barriers and prejudices that
exist. This involves challenging societal norms and expectations, promoting policy changes, and
supporting organizations that work toward gender equality. And now, let us have the perspective
of Michelle Foucault to dwell more on the said contemporary issue.
1
Melissa A. Hofmann, “Research Guides: LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual,
Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Allies, Nonbinary/Genderqueer +) Resources and Research: Non-Binary and
Genderqueer,” guides.rider.edu, n.d., https://guides.rider.edu/lgbtqia/nonbinary.
2
“TACKLING GENDER INEQUALITY from the EARLY YEARS Strategies for Building a Gender-
Transformative Pre-Primary Education System UNICEF INNOCENTI -GLOBAL OFFICE of RESEARCH and
FORESIGHT,” 2022, https://www.unicef.org/media/129821/file/Tackling%20Gender%20Equality%20From%20the
%20Early%20Years:%20Strategies%20for%20building%20a%20gender-transformative%20pre-primary
%20education%20system
%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%
20%20%20%20%20%20.pdf.
Michelle Foucault

Michel Foucault, a prominent philosopher and social theorist, has made significant contributions
to the understanding of power, knowledge, and discourse within society, which can be applied to
the discourse surrounding gender identity and equality.

One of Foucault's key ideas is the notion of power-knowledge, which suggests that power
and knowledge are intertwined and mutually reinforcing. 3 In the context of gender identity and
equality, this means that the power structures in society are closely linked to the knowledge
systems that define and enforce gender norms. This is commonly known as “disciplinary power”
as it sheds light on how power operates in society, including how it regulates and controls bodies,
behaviors, and identities.

Furthermore, Foucault's analysis of "disciplinary power" highlights the mechanisms

through which institutions exert control over individuals and shape their subjectivities. This can
be seen in the regulation and surveillance of gender identity and expression, particularly in
educational, medical, and legal contexts. Say, for example, the Sogie Bill. This bill certainly
shapes the subjectivity of the persons involved in the LGBTQ+ community, as it makes them
prouder and more confident of themselves. That is why upon going to school, some of them are
wearing the type of dress they want to wear for the reason that there is a law that supports them.

Aside from disciplinary power, he also has these concepts of “biopolitics” and
“biopower”, which are similarly related to disciplinary power. Foucault's notion of “biopolitics”
refers to the political rationality which takes the administration of life and populations as its
subject: ‘to ensure, sustain, and multiply life, to put this life in order’. 4 In the context of gender,
this can be seen in the regulation of reproductive rights, the control of bodies through medical
interventions, and the surveillance of gender identities within society. On the other hand, his
notion of "biopower" refers to how power operates at the level of population, managing and
controlling individuals based on norms and expectations. 5 These concepts can be applied to the
societal regulation of gender and the enforcement of binary gender norms, which have
3
Jonathan Gaventa, “Foucault: Power Is Everywhere | Understanding Power for Social Change | Powercube.net |
IDS at Sussex University,” www.powercube.net, 2003, https://www.powercube.net/other-forms-of-power/foucault-
power-is-everywhere/#:~:text=Foucault%20uses%20the%20term%20.
4
Rachel Adams, “Michel Foucault: Biopolitics and Biopower,” Critical Legal Thinking, May 10, 2017,
https://criticallegalthinking.com/2017/05/10/michel-foucault-biopolitics-biopower/.
5
Ibid.
historically marginalized and excluded individuals who do not conform to these binary gender
norms.

By highlighting these power dynamics, Foucault invites us to critically examine how

gender identity and equality are shaped and constrained by societal norms and power structures.
Understanding these mechanisms helps us question and challenge the oppressive systems that
perpetuate inequality and discrimination. That is by questioning the norms and discourses that
perpetuate inequality, we can challenge the mechanisms of power and strive for a more inclusive
and empowering society. And so, this leads to the betterment of our society as we live in a
harmonious community.
Bibliography

Hofmann, Melissa A. “Research Guides: LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

Transgender/Transsexual, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Allies,
Nonbinary/Genderqueer +) Resources and Research: Non-Binary and Genderqueer.”
guides.rider.edu, n.d. https://guides.rider.edu/lgbtqia/nonbinary.

Gaventa, Jonathan. “Foucault: Power Is Everywhere | Understanding Power for Social Change |
Powercube.net | IDS at Sussex University.” www.powercube.net, 2003.
https://www.powercube.net/other-forms-of-power/foucault-power-is-everywhere/
#:~:text=Foucault%20uses%20the%20term%20.

Adams, Rachel. “Michel Foucault: Biopolitics and Biopower.” Critical Legal Thinking, May 10,
2017. https://criticallegalthinking.com/2017/05/10/michel-foucault-biopolitics-biopower/.