Overview
This lecture introduces core issues of gender and society, focusing on women's evolving roles, legal protections, obstacles, and the importance of promoting gender equality in the Philippines and globally.
Historical Context and Women's Roles
- The 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees women's equality and nation-building roles.
- Pre-colonial Filipino women had high social status, with rights to property, trade, and spiritual leadership.
- Spanish colonization enforced patriarchal values, limiting women to domestic roles and obedience.
- Filipino women gained suffrage in 1937 and leadership representation with Presidents Corazon Aquino (1986) and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001).
- Cultural and colonial influences often minimized or hid women's societal contributions.
Modern Gender Inequality and Cultural Practices
- Women face a "double burden" of paid work plus expected domestic labor.
- Gender pay gap: Filipino women earn around 20% less than men for similar work (PSA 2018).
- "Glass ceiling" limits women’s rise to top corporate positions despite qualifications.
- Harmful cultural practices worldwide include denial of loans, restricted education, and gender-based violence.
- Local Philippine norms (e.g., "babae lang yan", Maria Clara ideal) reinforce stereotypes and restrict opportunities.
Legal Frameworks for Gender Equality
- Republic Act 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, 1995) prohibits harassment in workplaces and schools.
- RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, 2004) protects against various types of abuse, including economic abuse.
- RA 9710 (Magna Carta of Women) ensures women’s rights to services and equal opportunities.
- RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act/Bawal Bastos Law) expands protection against gender-based harassment in public, online, and educational settings.
Media, Literature, and Institutional Influences
- Entertainment and media often focus on women's appearance over achievements.
- Literature and media reinforce women’s secondary roles and lack of narrative agency.
- Religious and patriarchal institutions shape gender policies, exemplified by resistance to the Reproductive Health (RH) Law.
- RH Law debates reveal power dynamics, intersection with class, and the cost of restricting women’s autonomy.
Patriarchy in Daily Life and Education
- Patriarchy defines a society where men hold authority in political, economic, and familial systems.
- Gendered expectations persist in households (e.g., domestic chores, financial decisions) and education (e.g., bias in STEM opportunities).
- Professional domains and networking also marginalize women despite their qualifications.
- Popular culture reinforces stereotypes, portraying men as decision-makers and women as domestic caretakers.
Educational Approaches for Gender Equity
- Critical pedagogy encourages questioning gender norms and social hierarchies in education.
- Constructivist methods help students connect personal experiences to systemic gender issues.
- Bloom's taxonomy supports teaching strategies, from defining gender concepts to creating inclusive environments.
- Teachers can challenge gender norms through diverse classroom activities and conscious pedagogy.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Patriarchy — Social system where men hold power and women are largely excluded from it.
- Gender Pay Gap — The average difference in earnings between women and men doing similar work.
- Glass Ceiling — Invisible barriers preventing women from advancing to top leadership roles.
- Sexual Harassment — Unwanted conduct of a sexual nature creating a hostile environment.
- Economic Abuse — Control or withholding of financial resources to exert power over someone.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the key laws: RA 7877, RA 9262, RA 9710, and RA 11313.
- Reflect on personal experiences with gender roles for classroom discussion.
- Prepare to analyze gender bias in textbooks and media for future activities.