PH most gender-equal

The Philippines holds the distinction of being the most gender-equal country in Asia, with a parity score of 0.791. Its highest score was in educational attainment, and its lowest was in political empowerment.

That doesn’t mean that the traditional prejudices against women have waned. A survey by KPMG International Limited, a multinational professional services network, found that 64 percent of the women workers polled “reported facing stereotypes and prejudices in their workplace within the past three years.”

“These experiences, though disheartening, highlight the need for continued efforts to dismantle discriminatory practices,” KPMG said.

Overall, however, the advocacy for gender equality and women empowerment in the country has made significant strides.

Amendments to Republic Act 11313, or the “Safe Spaces Act” (Bawal Bastos Law), are being proposed to increase penalties for gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace and in educational institutions.

In the House of Representatives, the long-stalled sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics (SogieSC) bill has been resuscitated.

And the KPMG survey found that 63 percent of top corporate managers see women succeeding them.

To add momentum to the gender-equality movement, UN Women said the thrust must now be economic empowerment, “ensuring women can equally participate in and benefit from decent work and social protection; access markets and have control over resources, their own time, lives and bodies; and increased voice, agency and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels from the household to international institutions.”

“Investing in women’s economic empowerment not only benefits individual women but also contributes to a more equitable and prosperous society,” UN Women said.

We couldn’t agree more.