Preparedby
Oboy, John Carlo BA CommRes
De Leon, John BA CommRes
De Castro, Karylle BA CommRes
Pega, Raphael BA CommRes
Moya, Robb Nigel BA CommRes
On International Women's Day, the mobilization of thousands of women highlighted the deep-rooted inequality between men and women in Philippine society, as they gathered to demand freedom, rights, and solidarity.
This significant participation, driven by women from diverse sectors, underscores that gender inequality is a major, widespread issue, directly challenging systemic barriers to women's empowerment. Their unified call not only emphasizes the necessity for tangible changes in freedom and rights but also signifies a collective stand against the proposed Charter Change (Cha-Cha), seen as benefiting a select few and potentially worsening the plight of many. This opposition to Cha-Cha reflects a broader critique against political processes and structures that may prioritize elite interests, risking further entrenchment of gender disparities.
By rallying under the banner of the #WomensAgenda and demanding action from the US-Marcos government, these women are not just spotlighting persistent inequalities but are actively participating in shaping policy and societal norms toward a more equitable future, showcasing a strong resistance to policies perceived as anti-people and detrimental to the democratic engagement and welfare of women across the nation.
BABAE, ANG [DAPAT] LUGAR
MO AY SA LANSANGAN!
Inequality indeed continues to exist between men and women in Philippine society, and the local government stands as one of the most significant manifestations of this phenomenon. Despite there being some women in power, the underrepresentation of women still persists in the local government, especially in top-level positions (PIDS, 2018).
Case in point, men still dominate in number in the current Senate lineup (depicted in the image), leaving only 7 out of 24 Senators to be female.
This has greatly affected the representation of women in deciding on matters that greatly concern them, such as the passing of the Safe Spaces Act and RH Bill, among others.
The Binary of “Balls”
The collegiate sports league UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) is known to fill stadiums with thousands of fans especially for its televised events: basketball and volleyball.
Observably, men's basketball games sell out arenas and reach more viewership compared to women's basketball games. In the same way, women's volleyball games draw significantly larger fan engagement than men's volleyball games (Duque-Cruz, 2019; Lizada, 2015). These disparities then create significant inequalities in male and female athletes' celebrification which talent alone cannot claim.
Overall, there exists an inequality between men and women even in the sports industry. The existing inequality in fan engagement and attention may be attributed to various factors, including cultural gender preferences, marketing and investments, revenue resources (Blanco & Barnier, 2018), as well as public bias and stereotypes.
Among the more notable stories of today are the charges against pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the head of the cult-like Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). The pastor is charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2021) with (1) Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion, (2) Conspiracy, and (3) Bulk Cash Smuggling, among others.
Incumbent senator Risa Hontiveros, who is chairing the women and gender equality Senate committee, has probed into these alleged crimes, which Quiboloy has yet to attend to citing “threats against his life” (Abarca, 2024). Hontiveros has ordered his arrest, though some of her co-senators have opposed this notion, notably Senators Padilla, Marcos, Go, Villar (Santos, 2024).
In a world where violence against women and children are still prevalent—and church leaders are among the main perpetrators the example of how a sitting Senator could be ‘powerless’ to capture Quiboloy and bring his alleged victims to justice is an example of the glaring power imbalances between men and women in Philippines society.
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