WOMEN

• Women


  Female human being; a person assigned a female sex at birth, or a person who defines herself as a woman
• Laws in relation to women


  • Republic Act No. 6949 - National Women's Day
  • Republic Act 9710 - Magna Carta of Women
  • Republic Act No. 8353 - Anti-Rape Law of 1997
  • RA 9262 - Anti VAWC Act
  • Republic Act 10398 - National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of VAWC
• Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI)


  An annual report produced by the World Economic Forum that measures gender-based gaps in access to resources and opportunities in countries around the world
• The importance of GGGI is that it captures the magnitude of gender-based disparities and tracks their progress over time. It provides country rankings that allow for effective comparisons across regions and income groups. The rankings are designed to create global awareness of the challenges posed by gender gaps and the opportunities created by reducing them.
• Global Gender Equality Index Measurements


  • Economic participation and opportunity
  • Educational attainment
  • Health and survival
  • Political empowerment
• The Philippines has long been considered as one of the most gender-equal nations in Southeast Asia. In 2021, the Philippines ranked 17th out of 146 countries. In 2022, the Philippines ranked 19th out of 146 countries. In 2023, the Philippines even ranked 16th among 146.
• Despite the Philippines being deemed the most gender-equal country in Asia, the country still faces significant gender issues that need to be addressed.
• Gender wage gap (Philippines)


  Women in the Philippines earn only 78% of what men earn, indicating a significant pay disparity that needs to be addressed
• Gender wage gap (Globally)


  The gender gap in labor force participation has remained stagnant for the past 20 years, with 62% of women in the labour force compared to 93% of men. Unpaid care and domestic work, which supports families and economies, is largely invisible and poorly supported. Scaling up investments in the care economy and ensuring women benefit from green jobs is crucial for success. Closing the gender gap could increase global GDP by 35%.
• Education attainment (Philippines)


  The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 subsidizes free tuition and school fees in state universities, colleges, and technical vocational institutions. This subsidy has benefited 655,083 women and 477,897 men. The TESDA scholarship program has also contributed to women's access to technical and vocational education.
• Education attainment (Global)


  Investing in girls' education can significantly transform communities, countries, and the world. It reduces young marriages, leads healthier lives, and increases incomes. However, gender disparities persist, with 129 million girls out of school globally. Addressing these issues is crucial. Gender-equitable education systems empower girls and boys, promote life skills, and reduce gender-based violence. This can lead to economic growth and reduced child marriage and genital mutilation.
• Health and survival (Philippines)


  Filipino women face limited access to health resources, sex education, and birth control, with over a third of pregnancies being unwanted. Despite the country's high ranking in the Global Gender Gap Report 2021, enforcement of policies like the 2012 Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act is weak. In 2023, A study found that at least 40 million women experience longterm health problems from childbirth. Many postpartum conditions cause considerable suffering in women's daily life long after birth, both emotionally and physically, and yet they are largely underappreciated, under recognised, and under reported. Effective care throughout pregnancy and childbirth is a critical preventive factor. A multidisciplinary health system is needed to provide high-quality maternity services, prevent ill health, and support vulnerable women and girls.
• Health and survival (Global)


  The women's health gap, a significant issue affecting women, their families, and the economy, is 25% more years spent in poor health. Addressing this gap could unlock an average of 7 additional days of higher quality life annually for 3.9 billion women worldwide, equating to at least $1 trillion of global GDP by 2040. The majority of the women's health burden falls during the working years, with the US experiencing 18% more years spent in poor health.
• Political empowerment (Philippines)


  The Philippines also faces significant challenges in terms of representation of women in politics and leadership roles. Despite having female presidents in the past, the country has a relatively low proportion of women in politics, with only 28% of elected officials being female.
• Political empowerment (Global)


  Men still dominate power and decision-making, despite women's increased representation in parliaments and management positions. In peace negotiations, women only make up 13% of negotiators and 4% of signatories, despite evidence showing more inclusive agreements when women are involved. Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America have made the most yearly progress in reducing the political empowerment gap since 2012, whereas the gap in East Asia and the Pacific is regressing. If we continue at the current pace, by 2030 nearly 2 billion (roughly half of) women and girls will still face discrimination in opportunities for public leadership. While access to formal decision-making remains limited, women are claiming space and taking on leadership roles not only in feminist organizations, but in a range of movements for social justice, making the connections between gender equality, climate justice, workers' rights, racial equality and more. Women human rights defenders and activists face smear campaigns, physical attacks, harassment and intimidation. Funding for their work is often scarce. And yet, new generations of young feminists continue to bring energy and innovative strategies to the struggle for women's rights.
• Strategies to address gender issues


  • Advocate for policies to address the gender wage gap
  • Support survivors of gender-based violence
  • Invest in education
  • Promote gender diversity in politics
  • Address societal norms that reinforce inequality