Gender, politics, religious fundamentalism and violence

male chauvinist macho country

On the surface, the Philippines may be mistaken for a

matriarchal

In essence, the Philippines is a —- society

KATIPUNAN

During the Spanish period, women joined the underground resistance movement —- in the struggle against colonialism.

Teodora Alonzo

For refusing to pay land taxes, she was made to walk under heavy guard for some 10 kilometers to the provincial jail and imprisoned for two and a half years

include Gabriela Silang, Gregoria de Jesus, Agueda Kahabagan, Teresa Magbanua, Melchora Aquino, Trinidad Tecson among others.

These women did not only attend to the sick and wounded or solicit food and money for the revolution; they also served in the more dangerous tasks of transmitting messages and hiding documents. A few actually fought and reached the rank of general in the revolutionary army

American occupation (1940s)

By the time of the —-, a significant number of Filipino women had become educated.

Suffragist Movement

provided inroads for women to get into politics

1937

women were finally granted the right to vote in this year

constitution of 1935

stipulated that the right of suffrage would be extended to women only if 300,000 women voted in its favor during a national plebiscite

General Council of Women

was then established in Manila to direct the plebiscite campaign.

447,725

—- women voted yes in the 1937 plebiscite

1946 – 1971

the last year of free elections before Martial Law

26

Between 1946 – 1971 (the last year of free elections before Martial Law), only —women were elected to public office: 11 Representatives, 7 senators, 6 governors and 2 city mayors.

11 Reps, 7 Senators, 6 Govs, 2 Mayors

Between 1946 – 1971 (the last year of free elections before Martial Law), only 26 women were elected to public office: - Representatives, - senators, - governors and - city mayors.

1951

In —, women attempted to form a National Political Party of Women, but the project never got off the ground.

the early 70s

In —, Filipino women joined the popular resistance against Marcos’ dictatorial rule. By this time, more and more women had become politicized.

Religious Fundamentalism

have been associated with conservative politics characterized by various forms of intolerance ranging from racism, sexism, homophobia, and elitism

Fundamentalism

when used in religion, connote the imposition of a single interpretation of religious doctrines and hostility toward contradiction of plurality.

Paul (2005)

he found that collective beliefs in a more benevolent religious cosmos are positively correlated to lower homicide rates.

malevolent cosmology

The Philippines, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic are classified along with United States as countries where a more — is accepted, because beliefs in the devil and hell are embraced alongside beliefs in God and heaven.

higher homicide rates

countries where a more malevolent cosmology is accepted exhibit

An-Na’im

proposes the concept of secularism as mediation

1. Citizens must be able to propose and advocate policy and legislative initiatives on the basis of their religious belief. But such proposals must be within the the context of reasoning that is acceptable to those who do not accept the particular belief system.

2. Such policy must conform to accepted human rights standards including standards of nondiscrimination and protection of the minority against the tyranny of the majority

the concept of secularism as mediation:

Vaggione (2002)

proposes the dual nature of the catholic church’s discourse must be addressed affectively

Article II Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution

“the State recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.”

Article 13 Section 14

“State shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation”.

Local Government Code of 1991

Provides for the election of sectoral representation, including women, in local legislative councils.

Party List Law

Provides for the creation of women-oriented or women-based parties to compete under the party-list system. Women is one of the 9 sector identified in the law

Labor Code (1989)

Covers issues such as night work prohibition, specifies that employers must provide special facilities for women, prohibition of discrimination against women in respect to terms and conditions of employment, prohibition of discrimination by reason of marriage of a woman worker.

Women in Nation Building Law. Republic Act 7192 (1991)

is an act promoting the integration of women as full and equal partners of men in development and nation building. The law provides that a substantial portion of government resources be utilized to support programs and activities for women.

1988 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law

Gave Filipino women the right to own land that previously reverted to sons and other male family members.

Republic Act 7688 (1994)

An act giving representation to women in social security commission.

1990 Day care Law (RA 6972) and 1996 Paternity Leave Act.

Both of which acknowledge that children is both a parental and state responsibility.

Anti-Sexual Harassment Law - RA 7877 (1995)

an act declaring sexual harassment unlawful in the employment, education or training environment.

Republic Act 7822 (1995

An act providing assistance to women engaging in micro and cottage business enterprises.

Republic Act 8353 (1997)

An act expanding the definition of the crime of rape reclassifying the same as a crime against persons.

Philippine Plan for Gender Responsive Development (1995-2025)

The National Plan for Women that consolidates the action commitments of the Philippines during the Beijing World Conference on Women. This is the over-all frame that is also the point of reference for the discussions and monitoring of gender mainstreaming.

Gender and Development Budget (GAD)

it is aimed at “institutionalizing gender concerns in the mainstream development process and agenda and not just peripheral programs and projects of the government”

Gender and Development Budget (GAD)

it prescribes for the allocation of 5% of the government agency’s/local government unit’s budget on gender-responsive activities and projects.

Framework Plan for Women (FPW

This is part of the Philippine Plan for Women which the current administration developed to focus on three thrust namely: promoting women’s economic empowerment; advance and protect women human rights; and promote gender responsive governance.

Framework Plan for Women (FPW

This plan identifies the concrete gender issues that will be addressed, pinpoint targets and indicators, name programs, formulates the implementation plan, and set-up tools for monitoring and evaluation.

Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women

CEDAW

ONLINE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

refers to “harmful acts directed towards an individual or a group of individuals based on their gender that are partially or fully carried out through or enabled by technology”

Republic Act No. 11313, Section 12

GENDER-BASED ONLINE SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Republic Act No. 11313, Section 12 (GENDER-BASED ONLINE SEXUAL HARASSMENT)

Includes acts that use information and communications technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims through physical, psychological, and emotional threats, unwanted sexual misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist remarks and comments online whether publicly or through direct and private messages