OP-ED EDITORIAL: OPINION & CARTOON – #PressforProgress By The Philippine Star, Thursday, March 8, 2018

EDITORIAL – #PressforProgress

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The Philippines joins the celebration of International Women’s Day today with families mourning the deaths of Filipinas who worked overseas, and with a senator reporting that on average, two women are sexually harassed every day in the country.

Gender parity is one area where the Philippines has consistently ranked high in international surveys. In the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report prepared by the World Economic Forum, the Philippines was rated 10th in gender equality. The WEF report estimates that it would take another 200 years before gender parity is achieved globally, but the objective may be attained faster in the Philippines.

Suffragettes initiated the first International Women’s Day celebration in 1911. Filipino women were among the first to exercise the right to vote. Even if Filipinas enjoy many rights and have shattered the glass ceiling in many sectors, however, there is still a wide room for improvement.

All over the country, cases of domestic violence targeting women remain high, with barangay officials reluctant to perform their duty, mandated by law, to assist battered women. The #MeToo and #TimesUp movement against sexual harassment that started in Hollywood and is now spreading to countries including South Korea has yet to reach the Philippines, where President Duterte’s comments reflect the typical male attitude toward women.

And while more Filipino women obtain college degrees than men, fewer women join the workforce. Many women also continue to risk physical and sexual abuse in working as household helpers overseas. Often, these workers serve as the principal breadwinner in impoverished households.

In previous years, the lack of access to reproductive health services pulled down the country’s ranking in gender parity. While President Duterte has made RH services part of his 10-point socioeconomic development agenda, millions of women continue to await the full implementation of the RH law. Women’s groups are also supporting the passage of a divorce law.

Filipino women have much to celebrate on this special day, but more reforms are needed. In solidarity with women around the world today, Filipino women will also #PressforProgress. / The Philippine Star – March 8, 2018 – 12:00am