Gender and Society in Philippine History

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, roles, laws, and concepts related to gender and society in Philippine history from pre-colonial times to the present.

Gender Equality (Pre-colonial Philippines)

The principle that women and men held equal rights in property, leadership, trade, and spiritual roles before Spanish conquest.

Babaylan

A highly respected pre-colonial spiritual leader or shaman, often a woman or feminized man, who performed healing and religious rites.

Asog / Bayoguin

Biological males who dressed and lived as women to serve as babaylan; accepted and viewed as spiritually powerful in pre-colonial society.

Datu

A community chief or chieftain in pre-colonial Philippines; leadership could be held by capable women or men of noble lineage.

Bigay-kaya

A pre-colonial dowry system in which the groom’s family gave gifts to the bride’s family as a sign of respect, not payment.

Bigay-suso

A complementary dowry gift—often livestock—given by the groom for the nursing mother of the bride in pre-colonial marriages.

Gender Fluidity

Acceptance of diverse gender identities and roles, seen in pre-colonial Philippines where gender categories were not rigid.

Spanish Colonization (1565-1898)

Period when Catholic and patriarchal values were imposed, restricting women’s roles and outlawing divorce and gender diversity.

Patriarchy

A social system introduced by the Spanish in which men were considered heads of households and dominant in politics and religion.

Maria Clara Ideal

The Spanish-era stereotype of the ‘ideal’ Filipina—submissive, modest, religious, and loyal—based on José Rizal’s character.

Machismo

A Spanish concept of strong, dominant masculinity that shaped male roles as protectors and providers during colonization.

Divorce (Pre-colonial vs. Spanish)

Allowed and gender-neutral before colonization; banned under Catholic rule during the Spanish period.

Public Education (American Period)

A school system established by the U.S. colonial government that offered co-education and expanded learning for girls.

Educated Filipina

American-era image of a modern woman who is literate and professionally capable while remaining feminine and family-oriented.

Filipina Suffrage (1937)

The legal right for Filipino women to vote, granted after a successful plebiscite during the American colonial era.

Asociación Feminista Filipina (1905)

The first women’s organization in the Philippines, focusing on education, health, and social reforms.

National Federation of Women’s Clubs (1921)

A nationwide umbrella group that advanced women’s civic and political participation, including the suffrage campaign.

Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)

World War II period marked by militarization, hardship, and widespread gender-based violence in the Philippines.

Comfort Women

Filipina girls and women forcibly taken as sexual slaves by the Japanese military during World War II.

Josefa Llanes Escoda

Founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and WWII heroine executed for aiding prisoners and guerrillas.

RA 7192 – Women in Development and Nation Building Act (1992)

Law ensuring women’s equal participation in national development projects and government programs.

RA 7877 – Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (1995)

Legislation penalizing sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions.

RA 9262 – Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (2004)

Comprehensive law protecting women and children from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.

RA 9710 – Magna Carta of Women (2009)

Broad human-rights law promoting gender equality and empowering Filipino women in all spheres.

RA 11313 – Safe Spaces Act (2019)

‘Bawal Bastos Law’ that criminalizes gender-based sexual harassment in streets, workplaces, and online platforms.

Feminist Movement (Philippines)

Post-war and contemporary activism advocating women’s rights, equality laws, and social reforms.

LGBTQIA+ Advocacy

Efforts to advance rights and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in modern Philippines.

Pride March (Philippines)

Annual public demonstration promoting LGBTQIA+ rights, visibility, and equality.

SOGIE

Acronym for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression; framework for understanding gender diversity.

Glass Ceiling

Invisible barrier that prevents women and LGBTQIA+ individuals from reaching top leadership positions despite qualifications.

Gender-Based Violence

Harm or abuse directed at individuals based on their gender, still prevalent in contemporary Philippines.

Parental Authority (Spanish Era)

Strengthened patriarchal control in families where the father’s decision was central, reinforced by the Church.

Gender Sensitivity Education

Teaching approach that promotes understanding and respect for all genders, increasingly adopted in Philippine schools.

Gender-Inclusive Workplace Policies

Company rules such as parental leave for all genders and gender-neutral bathrooms aimed at equality.

Babaylan Demonization

Spanish campaign that labeled babaylan as witches or heretics to undermine indigenous female spiritual authority.

Bayoguin Persecution

Colonial suppression and punishment of gender-diverse males who had once been respected spiritual figures.

American Media Gender Stereotypes

Hollywood films and magazines that reinforced beauty norms for women and macho images for men during U.S. rule.

Post-War Reconstruction Roles

Expansion of women’s participation in government, education, and business after WWII to rebuild the nation.

Patriarchal Shift

Transition from pre-colonial gender equality to male-dominated structures under Spanish rule.

Co-education

Educational system where boys and girls study together; introduced widely during the American colonial period.

Male Dominance

Social condition in which men hold primary power, seen strongly in Spanish and later societal structures.

Women in Philippine Politics

Increased female participation including two female presidents—Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo—though leadership remains male-heavy overall.

Macho Culture

Contemporary social attitude valuing aggressive or dominant masculinity, influencing behavior and media portrayals.

Gender Diversity Suppression

Colonial condemnation of non-binary and homosexual identities as sinful or unnatural, replacing earlier acceptance.

Spiritual Leadership (Pre-colonial)

Role of guiding religious and healing practices, open to women and gender-diverse individuals like babaylan.

Dowry as Respect Gesture

Pre-colonial practice where wedding gifts signified honor to the bride’s family rather than buying a spouse.

Contemporary Gender Norms

Current expectations shaped by legal reforms, activism, and media yet still challenged by inequality and stereotypes.