When rankings don’t match reality: Gender equality in the Philippines

The Philippines has consistently scored well in global surveys on gender equality but how do these indicators translate to life for women on the ground?

MANILA: The Philippines consistently ranks high in global surveys for gender equality, resting in the top 10 above all Asian countries.

The World Economic Forum for two consecutive years named the Philippines the most gender equal Asian nation. Based on the WEF Global Gender Gap 2014 Report, the Philippines maintained a high ranking in indicators such as education and health.

It also fared well on the number of women employed in management and politics – women make up a quarter of elected officials in both the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives. The country’s also elected two female presidents.

Anthropologist Carolyn Sobritchea from the University of The Philippines said cultural history is the reason for the level of gender equality. “We’ve had a long history of a lateral family system,” she explained.

“It’s not patrilineal where heritage flows through the main line. So traditionally in ancient South East Asia, women played important roles in society. It was only when Spanish jurisprudence, law, and traditions came that women were marginalised.”

But these rankings do not tell the full story. While literacy rates may be high among women, who generally perform better than men, this often fails to translate into better economic opportunities.

“Women make up 70 per cent of the informal economy, so they don’t enjoy the benefits and same pay as their counterparts in the formal economy,” said Aissa Ereneta, a development worker specialising in education. “Women’s work is underpaid and undervalued compared to men.”

Even though the American colonial government left the legacy of a good health system, many women have not benefitted from it.

“Sadly, for the Philippines there are many women’s health issues that have not been well carried out and addressed,” said Sobritchea. “One of this is maternal mortality. The Philippines is second in Asia in terms of instances of maternal mortality.”

Progress within the legal system to protect women’s rights has been made, albeit slowly. It took 15 years for Congress to pass the Reproductive Health Bill and despite the country having passed the magna carter for women in 2009, laws still exist that prejudice women and entrench gender inequality.

“In the revised penal code there is something there about adultery and concubinage, which favours men,” said Ereneta. “The burden of proof is different and the penalty is higher for women. The man has to be caught in the act and the penalty is a little over two years. For women just being suspected of having sex with another man can lead to a maximum penalty of six years.”

The Philippines may boast a notable record of promoting gender equality but as gender rights experts note, the system is far from perfect and it will be a while before the many issues that women continue to face here are addressed.

– CNA/ec