143
Module 8
Gender Profile of the Philippines
Introduction
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.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, students should be able to:
1. Define what is gender and gender issue.
2. Identify specific gender-related issues in the Philippines.
3. Analyze the Philippine gender profile.
4. Appreciate the value of women’s contribution to the society.
144
Learning Content
What is gender?
Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are
socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviors and roles associated with being
a woman, man, girl or boy, as well as relationships with each other. As a social
construct, gender varies from society to society and can change over time. (WHO,
2018)
What are gender issues?
Any issue or concern determined by gender-based and/or sex-based
differences between women and men. Gender issues include all aspects and
concerns related to women’s and men’s lives and situation in society, to the way they
interrelate, their differences in access to and use of resources, their activities, and how
they react to changes, interventions and policies. (European Institute for Gender
Equality – EIGE, 2014). Examples are issues relating to employment, violence, sexual
harassment, discrimination, education, etc.
Current Situation of Women in the Philippines
The current situation of women in the Philippines is best described as having
sharp contradictions. The Filipino women may be considered as one of the most
advanced women in other countries, in the areas of academic, professional, politics
and legislation. However, they also suffer from domestic violence, economic
disadvantages, discrimination at the workplace, exploitation as migrant workers, and
as prostituted women and displacement brought about by the intermittent wars in
conflict affected areas. The Philippines is the only country in Asia to have closed the
gender gap on both education and health and is one of only six (6) in the world to have
done so. Moreover, the Philippines’ scores on political empowerment continues to
improve as its economic indicators such as estimated income, labor force participation
and income equality for similar work. The Philippines is the only country in the world
where women have parity to men in senior management roles. However, despite the
remarkable achievements above, thousands of Filipino women suffer from sex and
other gender related abuses While Filipino women suffer the same domestic violence,
and economic disadvantages all over the country, women in some parts of Mindanao
145
and other conflict affected areas in the Philippines suffer more. As in most countries
affected by displacement brought about by armed conflict, women and children make
up the great majority of the displaced population in the Philippines, and experience
additional vulnerabilities. The intermittent wars affect women’s livelihood, health,
education and family life, among other things.
In the area of legislative reforms, the Philippines has ensured the protection of
women against economic, social and political forms of discrimination. The country has
passed important laws like the Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998, the
Anti Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 and the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their
Children Act of 2004. The Philippines also has a vibrant women’s movement which is
recognized for its work in the international and national levels.
Government Policy on Gender
The Philippine government adopted the Philippine Plan for Gender Responsive
Development (PPGD) 1995-2025, a 30-year strategic plan that translated the Beijing
Platform for Action into policies, strategies, programs and projects for Filipino women.
To operationalize the PPGD, the Philippine government, with its partners in the nongovernment organizations, and the academe formulated the Framework Plan for
Women (FPW) in 2001. The FPW has the following three (3) priority areas: (i)
promotion of women’s economic empowerment, (ii) protection and advancement of
women’s rights, and (iii) promotion of gender responsive governance. The Philippines
is one of the few countries in the world that has adopted a GAD Policy Budget that
requires all government agencies (including local government units) to utilize at least
five percent of their respective total budgets for programs, activities and projects that
address the needs and uphold rights of women.
National Machinery
The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) was
established on 7 January 1975 and it serves as an advisory body to the President.
Among its mandate is to review, evaluate and recommend measures, including
priorities to ensure the full integration of women for economic, social and cultural
development at national, regional and international levels. It is also mandated to
ensure further equality between men and women. The NCRFW has a Board of
Commissioners which is headed by a Chairperson. The Board sets policies, programs,
146
thrusts and rules toward the achievement of the vision and mission of the Commission.
The Chairperson is responsible for ensuring the overall implementation of the policies
and programs of the Commission. The Commission’s Executive Director, on the other
hand, oversees the planning and implementation of the Commission’s operations. The
Executive Director is assisted by two Deputy Executive Directors and five Division
chiefs which handle the following divisions: (i) Policy Advocacy and Analysis, (ii)
Technical Services, (iii) Monitoring and Evaluation, (iv) Information Resources
Management, and, (v) Administration and Finance
Situation of Women/Gender in Education
Female students in the Philippines fare very well in the area of education.
Relative to male students, females have a higher participation rate in the elementary
and secondary levels. Moreover, female students have a better cohort survival rate in
elementary and secondary levels. This is because the drop- out rate for males is higher
than that of the female students. The female students’ completion rate is also higher
than that of the male students’ in both levels. Poor families tend to make boys work
because they are considered to be more physically able than girls. Since boys
generally perform poorer in school, it seems easier for parents to make them quit and
get a job. Moreover, girls value education more than boys do because they no longer
see themselves merely staying at home when they grow up, they expect to have
careers. Boys tend to assume they would be able to work even without finishing
school.
The results of recent National Board Examinations show that female examinees
scored better than male examinees in most of the engineering courses. On the other
hand, male examinees fared better than female examinees in medicine, midwifery,
nursing, nutrition-diabetics and social work. Female students can excel on areas
where men traditionally excel on and vice versa. At the post graduate level, more
females than males are enrolled in graduate courses. Overall, in terms of basic and
functional literacy, females have higher rates than males, except in the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao.
147
Situation of Women/Gender in Health
Across the regions in the Philippines, women have varying levels of access to
health facilities during delivery. While 69.5% of live births occurred in health facilities
in the National Capital Region, only 10.7% occurred in the same facilities in CARAGA.
Consequently, the number of deliveries assisted by trained health professionals vary
according to the region. CARAGA has the least number of deliveries assisted by health
professionals while the NCR has the most number. The Philippines has a number of
women in especially difficult circumstances. These include (i) women in armed conflict,
(ii) women victims of domestic violence, (iii) women in prostitution, (iv) women in
prison, and (v) single women. In general, women are put in disadvantaged position
due to the differences in gender roles. This limits their access to resources and their
ability to provide and protect their health.
Another health related issue affecting women is the violence committed against
them and their children. Violence against women and their children (VAWC) is an act
or a series of act committed by any person against his wife, former wife, a woman with
whom he has or had a sexual dating relationship, or with whom he has a child, or
against the woman’s child. This act may have been committed within or outside the
family residence resulting to (i) physical violence (bodily or physical harm), (ii) sexual
violence, (iii) psychological violence, and (iv) economic abuse The Department of
Health has identified the following factors that lead to poor health among Filipino
women: (i) low social status of women, (ii) reproductive risks, (iii) inadequate genderresponsive services and facilities for women, (iv) environmental hazards and
contaminants, and (v) increased participation of women in the workforce (reproductive
health risk at work especially during pregnancy and lactation)
Situation of Women/Gender in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries
The percent distribution of female hired workers in agriculture is lower than that
of the males. On the other hand, there are more unpaid female family workers than
male family workers. Despite the important role played by women in Philippine
agriculture, most of the land titles of land owning households are in the name of their
husbands. This may be explained by the patriarchial system in the Philippines, where
men are traditionally believed to be the main breadwinners while women are
responsible for childbearing. In the Philippines, women are still strongly tied to their
traditional roles as mother, wife, and housekeeper. There are more men than women
148
employed in forest based industries as well as in the fisheries sector. Women are
engaged in almost all areas of rice production. Besides the actual rice production,
women are also primarily tasked to prepare food to be brought to the field during meal
time.
Women’s scope of influence extends beyond household maintenance, it also
includes decisions relating to budget allocation for farm input expenses and productive
activities. Most of the women are directly involved in capital procurement. Among the
individuals of farming households who out migrated, a higher proportion of females
than males migrated. Although rural to urban migration occurs, domestic to
international migration is more prevalent. Female migrants mainly worked as domestic
helpers and entertainers within the Philippines and in the Middle East, Italy, Singapore,
and Hong Kong. Others worked as factory workers in Taiwan, Japan and Korea.
Situation of Women/Gender in Economic Activities
While women’s labor force participation rate is close to 50%, their rate is still
lower than that of men. Filipino women are prevented from entering the labor force
because of the gender role stereotyping, particularly in relation to reproductive
responsibilities. Women have slightly higher unemployment rate than men, except in
2005 and 2006. Compared with its neighbors in the region, the Philippines has the
highest percentage of female professionals and technical workers. The Philippines is
the only country where women have parity to men in senior management roles. The
lack of employment in the country has led millions of women to leave and work abroad
as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). From 1998-2006, women outnumbered men in
terms of newly hired OFWs. Women OFWs outnumber men as professionals, clerks,
service and sales workers, laborers and unskilled workers. Working overseas has
brought a lot of difference in the lives of Filipino women.
For instance, those working as domestic workers are now getting remuneration
for domestic work which they have been doing in their own homes but were not
credited for any economic value. The women’s ability to contribute financially to their
families has not only empowered them but also gave them a greater sense of selfworth.
149
Situation of Women/Gender in Political and Public Life
As early as 1937, Filipino women were already allowed to vote and stand for
election. Further, as early as 1941, a woman has already been elected into Parliament
(the first in the region). The Philippines takes pride in having numerous Filipino women
who played significant roles in the United Nations to advance women’s global agenda.
As early as 1964, Filipino women already occupied high position in the U.N.
Commission on the Status of Women. They have also sat as Commission on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee Chair
and Experts. There are more female employees than males in the Philippine
government bureaucracy. Filipino men dominate as decision makers and managers
while women are predominant professional in government.
The Philippines has produced two women Presidents. According to the World
Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report of 2007, the Philippines ranked 14th
out of 128 countries, in terms of political empowerment. In the judiciary branch of
government most of the judges are males.
Situation of Women in Mindanao
According to the Mindanao Commission on Women, urgent attention should be
given to Mindanao Women in the areas of economic opportunities, reproductive
health, political participation, education and even basic services such as water and
power. The Moro and Lumad women are the poorest and most disadvantaged among
the Mindanao population. They are not only victims of the long running conflict in
Mindanao but resilient survivors as well. Moro and Lumad women are considered as
minorities within minorities. According to the Mindanao Commission on Women, bride
abduction, forced marriage and payment of bride price still persist as part of the
culturally sanctioned practices in Mindanao. Further, other forms of sexual violence
like incest rape, sexual harassment, wife battering and abuse in intimate relationships
are still common in the everyday lives of many women in Mindanao, especially those
in the remote areas.
As in the whole Philippines, females attained higher basic and functional
literacy rates compared to that of men in all regions in Mindanao, with the exception
of the women in Mindanao. With regard to health services, women in Mindanao had
the least number of deliveries which occurred in a health facility. Consequently, they
had the least number of deliveries assisted by a trained health professional. It may be
150
noted that on the average, Mindanao has the least number of government health
practitioners serving the population.
Teaching and Learning Activity
I. Based on your personal observations and experiences, list down specific examples
which manifest gender issues relating to inequality, bias and discrimination.
1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________________
II. Complete the following table by identifying gender differences as to the following:
Men
1 Ideas/behavior
2 Personality
3 Clothing
4 Employment
5 Politics
6 Business
7 Temperament
8 Health
9 Education
10 Social Relationship
Women
151
Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM)
Teleducation, google meet, facebook, messenger
Module (with activities and assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
I. True or False. In the blank after each item, write T if the statement is true and F if it
is false.
1. In the Philippine context, women are more privileged than men. ______
2. Gender refers to the characteristics of women that are socially constructed. _____
3. Originally, Filipino women were not allowed to vote and stand for election. _____
4. Women’s ability in employment, finance and economic empowered them and gave
them a greater sense of self-worth.
5. In the Philippines, male students are generally successful in academics compared
to females. ____
6. Until now, women’s influence is only extended within household responsibilities.
_____
7. Women’s labor force has contributed to the country’s increased economic growth.
_____
8. Leadership styles of men are more effective than that of women. _____
9. Another health related issue affecting women is the violence committed against
them and their children. _____
10. The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) ensures
further equality between men and women. _____
152
II. Essay. Discuss your gender’s role in society through various aspects (family,
school, community, government, mass media) and time periods particularly during this
crisis brought by the COVID19 public health emergency.
______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Note:
Grammar and Spelling– 25%
Focus and Details – 25%
Organization – 25%
Word Choice – 25%
Total – 100%
References
Anonuevo, C. Q. Copyright 2004 FES Philippine Office Site by Kinetic HTML Co.
“Bringing Indigenous Perspectives to the International Arena: An Indigenous Women’s
Conference”, International Indigenous Women’s Forum Declaration, New York 2005.
Gender Profile for the Philippines – JICA, 2008
United Nations. Third Session Report of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
E/2004/43