CHAPTER 4
THE ROLE OF GENDER IN
ADDRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES
Specific Learning Objectives
By the end of this Chapter, the students will be
able to do the following:
1. Discuss gender issues in the Philippines.
2. Create an essay about gender inequality in
the Philippines.
3. Know different issues regarding gender and
development.
4. Discover gender related issues in Singapore.
5. Identify DO’s and DON’T’s in using social
media.
• 6. Point out issues on same sex marriage.
• 7. Argue issues on same sex marriage in the
country.
• 8. Analyze the importance of protection of women
and their children.
• 9. Understand gender situation in the Philippines.
• 10.List down constitutional provisions that would
protect women and children.
ender Inequality in the
Philippines
• The Philippines ranks ninth out of
142 countries in gender equality,
closely matched by high-income
Nordic countries and low-income
countries like Nicaragua and
Rwanda.
• The WEF global gender gap index
measures 14 indicators including
educational attainment, health, economic
participation, and political empowerment.
The Philippines and Norway achieved the
same rank, indicating virtually no gender
gap in secondary education despite
different levels of enrollment.
• The Philippines ranks ninth in
education and health and survival, with
no gender gap in literacy rates and life
expectancy. However, gender
inequality persists in economic
opportunities and political
empowerment, with a low female labor
force participation rate of 53%
• The Philippines' high WEF ranking is due to its high
participation rate in high-status occupations, such
as legislators, senior officials, managers,
professionals, and technicians. However, this
ranking should be interpreted cautiously, as it may
mask underperformance in economic and political
spheres where many women are still excluded.
The country's gender inequality ranking is
sensitive to the indicators used, as seen in the
2014 United Nations Development Program's
Gender Inequality Index.
• The Philippines has a strong institutional framework
to promote gender equality, with key international
agreements, a constitution affirming women's
equality, and the Magna Carta of Women requiring
state upholding. The Philippines Commission on
Women (PCW) uses gender budgeting, auditing tools,
and projects like the GREAT Women Project to
strengthen accountability and promote gender-
sensitive laws and policies.
To achieve gender equality, effective implementation
of legislation, particularly in child care and women's
economic inclusion, is crucial. Enforcing current labor
standards and contracts is also necessary. Improving
women's well-being requires increasing living
standards and addressing income inequality. Society's
expectations limit women's opportunities, and they
still face lower status, income, control over resources,
and power.
Source:
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2015/03/21/is-gender-inequality-really-so-low-
in-
Man Charged after threatening to
“open fire on LGBTs
• Singaporean man Bryan Lim, who posted a
Facebook comment calling for violence against
the LGBT community, faces up to five years in jail
and a fine if convicted of inciting violence through
the internet. The comment went viral after the
Orlando shooting, which killed 49 people. Lim
later apologized and claimed his comment was
taken out of context. His computers and phone
have been seized, and he will appear in court in
August. Singapore has tough laws against
violence and hate speech.
• But Singapore’s leaders have had to maintain a difficult balance between
increasingly vocal conservatives and gay rights supporters.
• Earlier in June, the government warned foreign firms against sponsoring
Pink Dot, while a local staging of Les Miserables was forced to cut a scene
involving a kiss between two male actors because of public complaints.
Sex between men remains illegal in Singapore, a holdover from colonial
rule that is not strictly enforced. In an interview with journalists last year,
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien “Loong” said the country was not
ready to legalize same-sex marriage, but added that the local gay
community did not face harassment or discrimination.
Source:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/793519/man-charged-after-threatening-to-open-fire-
on-lgbts#ixzz4iNyb7kmR
Same Sex Wedding
Confuses Indonesian
Town Residents
• A same-sex couple's wedding reception in
Cluntang village, Musuk, Central Java has
been opposed by relatives. The couple, Ratu
Airin Karla and Dumani, wore traditional
Javanese attire and participated in wedding
rituals. The couple's male presence added to
the confusion, as they were seated on a stage
to welcome guests.
• Indonesian village officials have denied a
couple's request for a marriage permit, citing
a violation of state regulations and religious
norms. The couple's event was merely a
celebration of their union, not a wedding
reception. The couple's wedding ceremony
went viral, sparking a national outcry, as the
couple's union violated state regulations and Source:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/731355/same-sex-
religious norms. wedding-confuses-indonesian-
town-residents#ixzz4iNzY0poo
AN OVERVIEW OF THE GENDER
SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
• The Philippines' gender situation is
marked by stark contradictions, with
women's advancement in politics,
academics, and legislation often
contrasting with images of men.
a. prostituted women
b. battered
c. economically
disadvantaged women
d. 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 conceptions of
women are as follows:
a. full-time
b. as subordinated to men
c. violence against them is
private
d. as reserve labor
e. as sexual force
objects is now being eroded by
modern women asserting themselves in
many aspects of life.
• The Philippines, a major player in the
international women's arena, is
bolstered by a vibrant local women's
movement, despite facing
marginalization and discrimination due
to global economic and consumerism
realities.
Numerous organizations and NGOs
are working towards gender equality
and women's issues in the Philippines,
preventing further decline in women's
status. Legal and policy gains have
been made due to women's strong
voice.
• 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.
Following from constitutional provisions
and the subsequent efforts to broaden its
principles, numerous legislation were
enacted that relates to the various aspects
of women and gender concerns, The list
include:
1 . Gender and Development Law - (5% of
government agencies' budget is for
gender concerns)
2. Party-List Law - (women as a particular sector
for representation in the legislature through
party-list elections)
3. Anti-Sexual Harassment Law -
(defining SH and providing mechanisms)
4. Anti-Rape Law - (elevation of
rape as crime against person)
5. Day Care Center Law - (day care
center for every village)
6.Women in Nation-Building Law - (allocation
of budget for women from development funds
from foreign governments and multilateral
institutions)
7.Anti-Mail-Order-Bride Law -
(making the practice unlawful)
8. Repatriation Law - (repatriation of
Filipinas who lost citizenship by
marriage in case of need)
9. Non-Discrimination Law in Labor Co
- (women protection in hiring and pay)
10 . 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.
• Community-based groups in the
Philippines address violence against
women, support rural and urban women,
and help migrant workers establish
savings and insurance networks. These
efforts challenge socio-cultural barriers
and highlight the gender situation in the
country.
1.The legal framework has established basic
processes for women's empowerment and gender
fairness, but political and social institutions,
influenced by cultural perspectives, continue to
exert a push-pull effect.
2. Women have significantly advanced in
politics, surpassing male politicians'
competence in some cases, despite factors like
political dynasty
3. The women's movement in the Philippines has
significantly influenced society, pushing for changes
and pioneering educational approaches, promoting a
culture shift for both men and women.
4. Statistics show women face widespread problems in
their daily lives, including stereotypes, disadvantaged
jobs, and forced prostitution. The social image of
Filipinas remains weak, domestic help poster, and
sexual object, despite changing gender politics.
Source:
http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/philippinen/50069.pdf
