GOAL 3: PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN The women sector makes up about one half of the total population. While most of the womenfolk, especially in the upland barangay, do housekeeping, many of them also assist in the farms. Most of the employed women registered as part of the labor force are in services and trading, mainly as sales workers, house help, clerical and technical workers and in administrative and managerial positions both in government and private offices. Many are practicing their profession in the health and education sectors, in business and in civic and religious organizations. Table 3. Jagna Gender Statistics Based on LPRAP Survey Data for 2005
Eight female barangay captains and several barangay kagawad are evidence of the women’s growing involvement in politics. Currently, females comprise 23 percent of barangay officals in Jagna. And although women comprise 44 percent of the SK officers, a lot of work remains to be done to boost women’s participation in decision-making at the municipal level, which is currently in the hands of the males. In peace and order, the top local police post is headed by a woman officer.
Table 4. Elected Women Official Index
*The overall index is computed based on the weighted average of the three indices with the corresponding weights (Municipal=3 pts.; Barangay=2 pts.; Youth [SK]=1 pt.). The municipal index is computed by getting the average of the female - male ratio of the top 2 officials – Mayor and VM and the female-male ratio of Municipal Kagawads. The same is also done with barangay officials femalemale ratio of Barangay Captains and of Barangay Kagawad.
Women are also members of various organizations. The survey noted that in terms of affiliation, women have basically the same organizational membership compared to men, although women have a higher preference for church groups. Nevertheless, gender bias is still prevalent in the homes, in the community and in the workplace. It is manifested in the daily interaction between the sexes. Though violence against women and children are not so prevalent, cases of domestic violence, rape, incest and related problems do occur. The survey showed that 79 or 3.8 percent of respondents admitted the incidence of domestic violence in the family. The municipality has a GAD plan and budget. It also has a Women’s Help Desk and VAW program focused on orienting all of Jagna’s barangays on the Law on Violence Against Women and Children. The barangay councils in coordination with the women’s desk of the police either facilitate or conduct the discussion. Currently, the municipality is also concerned with identifying a focal person for gender and strengthening organizational structures for women.
The Bohol Experience
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