Filipinas answer the woman question
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Every March, social media explodes with a flurry of empowering quotes and celebratory hashtags for International Women’s Month. But amid the digital cheers, a crucial question remains unanswered: where are the rest of the Filipino women in positions of power? While they comprise half the population, their voices are significantly under-represented in our political landscape. This International Women’s Month, let us move beyond the slogans and delve into the persistent fight for gender equality in Philippine politics.
Far from a forgotten footnote in history, Filipino women actively fought for their right to vote. The suffragist movement challenged the outdated view of women as unfit for politics. Imagine the absurdity of the anti-suffragist rhetoric – a woman’s “sweetness” belonged at home! Through grit, Filipino women prevailed, securing suffrage with a record-breaking turnout in the 1937 plebiscite.
The struggle for equality extends beyond the ballot box.
The strides in promoting and increasing women’s political participation speak for themselves. We have institutionalized Gender and Development (GAD) efforts in government by incorporating GAD concerns as spelled out in the National Plan for Women. In legislation, the “How to be a Gender-Responsive Legislator” Handbook, first published in 2021, serves as guide in ensuring that all legislative documents or measures are carefully seen through a more-gender responsive lens.
However, we must remember that each victory is a mountain climbed and the journey stretches on. The horror of domestic violence exposes a terrifying truth: women are not safe, even in positions of power. It acts as a microcosm, a miniature reflection of a larger pattern.
Today, women who dare to enter politics face a chilling reality: rising violence against female leaders. Research from South Asia reveals that 90 percent of women politicians face threats of violence. Social media has become a weaponized platform, unleashing a torrent of abuse against outspoken female leaders.
Political scientist Mona Lena Krook's term “Violence Against Women in Politics” (VAWP) accurately captures the spectrum of abuse – physical, psychological, and online – that targets women in positions of power.
We celebrate women’s strength, but the true challenge lies in deconstructing stereotypes that suppress it. We need to change the narrative – women do not need to be granted power; they intrinsically possess it. The problem lies in the recognition of that power.
Effective VAWP legislation is essential. It must define violence against women in politics and impose strong penalties, including acts during campaigns and elections. We need to ensure that online platforms become avenues for political discourse, not intimidation. Let us support mentorship programs that connect aspiring female politicians with experienced leaders. Political parties must commit to promoting women within their ranks and establishing clear pathways for their ascent to leadership positions.
Through insights gained during my time at the Commission on Elections (Comelec), a critical issue that has come to light is the ongoing challenge of achieving a more balanced representation of women in public office. The 30 percent critical mass identified by scholars is an important target to strive for. Recognizing this disparity, it is worth noting that the institution prioritizes gender mainstreaming among its employees and Filipino voters through a number of GAD policies. As we observed during the 2022 elections, Comelec provided incentives to political parties that fielded women candidates. The percentage of female candidates was one factor used to determine dominant majority and minority party status. This exercise of rule-making power operationalizes the goals of the Magna Carta for Women.
The suffragists’ triumph serves as a reminder – the price of emancipation is eternal vigilance. We have a moral imperative to continue building upon their legacy. This International Women’s Month let us commit to fostering an environment where Filipino women not only vote, but where their voices actively shape the future of our nation. Only then can we claim to have a truly representative democracy.