PH still leads Asian countries in closing gender gap; 7th in world

ABS-CBN News, Nov 03 2016

MANILA – The Philippines has maintained its position as the lead Asian country in closing the gender gap, according to the 2016 Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) report released by the World Economic Forum.

The country has been in the top position for eleven consecutive years. In 2016, it landed at 7th place worldwide, tying with Slovenia at 0.786 points.

According to the report, the Philippines has fully closed the gender gap in health and survival, as well as in educational attainment indicators.

This year, however, the country had a slight decrease in economic participation and opportunity indicators, dropping 0.19 points from 2015’s 0.799 points to this year’s 0.780 points.

“Since 2006, the country has fully closed its gender gap on the Health and Survival subindex. It has also managed to fully re-close its Educational Attainment gender gap after a re-opening for the first time last year,” the WEF report said.

The country’s slight decrease in economic participation and opportunity score was attributed to “fewer female legislators, senior officials and Managers.”

The source of the report on the ratio of female legislators and senior officials covered only until June 1, 2016, which included the transition period following the May elections.

In Europe, Iceland and Finland retained their first and second spot, respectively. The remaining top countries are Norway (3rd), Sweden (4th), Rwanda (5th), Ireland (6th), Philippines (7th), Slovenia (8th), New Zealand (9th) and Nicaragua (10th).
The Philippines got the following scores and rank in the last ten years:

YEAR SCORE RANK
2015 0.790 7th
2014 0.781 9th
2013 0.783 5th
2012 0.776 8th
2011 0.769 8th
2010 0.765 9th
2009 0.758 9th
2008 0.757 6th
2007 0.763 6th
2006 0.752 6th

The Global Gender Gap Report’s Index assesses countries in terms of dividing resources and opportunities among male and female population, regardless of the general levels of these resources.

The report measures the size of the gender inequality gap in four areas: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Political Empowerment, and Health and Survival.

MORE WOMEN IN TOP-LEVEL POSITIONS

Following the results, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa called on both the government and private sectors to appoint more women in top-ranking positions.

Verzosa also emphasized the need to increase women representation, especially in achieving the 50-50 balance in the number of men and women in third level positions in the government, as mandated by the Magna Carta of Women.

“We are keen on finally having a quota for political parties using the forty-sixty (40-60) formula, wherein neither sex comprises less than 40 percent or more than 60 percent of the number of candidates in the party slate. We appeal to our lawmakers to support said recommendations so that women who are almost half of the Philippine population will be equally represented in elective positions,” she said.

Verzosa also encouraged private corporations and enterprises to observe diversity in the workplace.

“It’s about time that women should help other women. Women-led businesses are encouraged to hire women workers and hand-hold smaller women-led enterprises. In this way, we can see more businesses owned and led by women. When we empower women, we bolster the economy,” she said.

Meanwhile, newly appointed PCW Chair Rhodora M. Bucoy said the work of gender and development advocates does not end with maintaining high scores in GGI, as there is a continuing need for collaboration among all sectors to ensure that the high GGI scores translate to expanded opportunities and resources for all.

“Our country’s ranking in the GGI Report is a result of our collective efforts as Filipinos in ensuring that each of us will have access to opportunities and resources regardless of our sex or gender identity.

Due attention should also be given to marginalized groups like the indigenous peoples, Moro, persons with disabilities, rural and urban poor women, migrant women, and those living in geographically isolated and depressed areas. We should all be vigilant and do our share in ensuring that we all contribute to and benefit from national development; no one should be left behind,” Bucoy said.

There are currently 87 congresswomen and 6 female senators, comprising 30 percent and 25 percent of lawmakers in the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively.