BRIDGING THE GENDERED GAP

By Herman M. Lagon

It is easy to cheer for progress—especially when numbers say we are doing well. The country has often ranked high in gender equality lists, topping Southeast Asia at times. We have had women in politics, laws like the Magna Carta for Women, and a visible female presence in public life. But look closer, and you will see what many women already feel: equality on paper is not always equality in real life.

In 2024, the global gender gap is said to be 68.5% closed. But at the current pace, it will take more than a century to reach full parity. The Philippines has slipped from 16th to 25th in global rankings—mainly due to declining female leadership and a growing wage gap. Women may be present, but not always empowered. And that difference matters.

For many Filipinas, inequality is personal. It is the hours of unpaid care work. It is getting paid less for the same job. It is long waits at health centers where services are either unavailable—or served with judgment. Only about half of working-age Filipino women are in the labor force, far fewer than men. Many end up in care or support roles—vital, yet often undervalued.

Violence is another harsh reality. Over 13,000 cases against women were reported in 2023 alone, yet most victims stay silent. Cultural stigma and fear still win. Worse, a UN study shows nearly all Pinoys—including women—still hold gender biases. That is a deep cultural wound, not just a policy issue.

Yes, education has opened doors. Girls are often top achievers, more likely to finish college. But what we teach beyond the books matters too. When society still expects women to nurture quietly, hide ambition, or play second fiddle in leadership, then no diploma can undo the damage of those unspoken rules.

Globally, the picture is not much better. Hundreds of millions of women still live in extreme poverty. Many lack access to safe healthcare. In places hit by war or climate crisis, women’s needs are often sidelined. These are not distant problems—they reflect how gender equity is still treated as optional in global priorities.

Here at home, the government has a roadmap—the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Plan—to close wage gaps and boost representation. But plans need teeth. Gender and Development (GAD) funds exist, yet tracking and accountability remain weak. Too often, programs amount to token seminars instead of real change.

Still, hope grows in places beyond the spotlight. Women leading NGOs, organizing communities, or caring for families quietly shape society. They may not have titles, but their influence is real. The challenge is to support them not just on Women’s Month, but every day, through fair systems—not fanfare.

Legislative efforts offer promise: stronger protections against abuse, expanded safe spaces, and finally, a shot at legal divorce. These are not extreme—they are common-sense reforms for real problems. Passing them will not fix everything, but they move us toward a fairer field.

As we celebrate milestones and post hashtags, real progress asks tougher questions: Can a woman report abuse without fear? Can a nurse expect decent leave without begging? Can a girl in a remote barangay learn about her body without shame?

These are not hypotheticals—they are the daily litmus tests of justice. Gender equality is not about putting women on pedestals. It is about pulling them out of the margins. And the next wave of progress will not come from slogans, but from systems that finally match our promises.

That takes courage, long-haul work, and a refusal to settle for surface wins. If we want a truly inclusive Philippines, then it is all or nothing—no shortcuts, no showpieces. Just honest, lasting change.

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a ‘student of and for life’ who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.