Palace welcomes WB study showing Phl 6th in gender equality

While it admitted it still has much work to do on the matter, Malacañang yesterday welcomed the results of a World Bank study showing the Philippines ranking sixth out of 129 countries in gender equality.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the country’s aim is to give equal opportunities for women not only in the middle and higher classes but in all sectors of society.

“Our aim is to give women in all sectors equal opportunities. We want this equality to be across the board,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.

She also said that while the World Bank study is welcome, the Philippines still has much to do in improving the situation of women here in the Philippines.

Valte pointed out there are now more Filipino women in boardrooms than there were in the past decade or so.

“We have seen women have taken more roles in the forefront of business, politics and education,” she added.

On the other hand, Valte said the government will also be working on bringing down domestic violence cases and maternal deaths.

Earlier reports quoted WB country director Motoo Konishi as saying said many challenges remain for the Philippines in the field of gender equality.

He cited the maternal mortality rate is still disturbing, while cultural differences among indigenous people may discriminate against women.