GENDER EQUALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES
According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2021, the
Philippines took 17th place out of 156 countries, a slip from its previous placement. On the other
hand, it is still a feat considering it is the only Asian country in the top 20. Furthermore, it is the
top country amongst Southeast Asian nations and second to New Zealand in the East Asian and
Pacific Region. Based on the given facts, Filipinas might be considered lucky as compared to
their contemporaries from different countries. However, Filipina women are still at the receiving
end of violence, abuse, economic disadvantages, discrimination at the workplace, exploitation,
and prostitution.
The Philippines is one of the few countries, across the globe, to have a parity of
men to women at senior executive levels. Furthermore, Filipinas taking spaces in industries
dominated by the male population does not come as a surprise anymore. Though most countries
have only seen such progress recently, it has been a longstanding norm in the country. For an
instance, there are countries that have yet to elect women as their top leaders, Philippines, on the
other hand, already has two former female presidents.
The gendered division of traditional roles has been an ongoing debate in our
society. Traditionally, women are expected to be left at home and tend to the needs of the family.
On the other hand, men are expected to earn a living. In relation to this, children are also
expected to help in doing household chores around the house. However, girls are traditionally
expected to do the laundry, dishes, and cleaning. This is in regards to the societal notion that
women at a young age should learn housework. On the other hand, boys are taught to do the
heavy lifting, chopping of wood, carpentry, etc. The reason behind this logic is the perceived
biological differences wherein men are physically stronger than men.
The Republic of the Philippines employs a Presidential form of government
wherein our current President is Rodrigo Duterte. As explained earlier, despite the fact that the
Philippines is a trailblazer when it comes to gender equality, there are still roadblocks. For an
instance, President Rodrigo Duterte would include disparaging remarks towards women in his
speeches and addresses. One of his sexist remarks include, but is not limited to, "I was angry
because she was raped, that's one thing... but she was so beautiful, the mayor should have been
first", "There's a new order coming from the mayor, 'We will not kill you. We will just shoot you
in the vagina", etc. Furthermore, traditionally, the Philippines employs a patriarchal society in
heed of the culture embedded by our colonizers. However, as time progressed, the country
inclined on matriarchal society. For an instance, more and more women are now career juggling
work instead of housework. In addition, househusbands have become a trend in the previous
years. Househusbands refer to men who remain at the house while their wives tend to their
careers.
