In many societies worldwide, being a man, a woman, or a gender-diverse person is a

complex circumstance and cannot be easily understate as a matter of difference in

biological composition and physical characteristics. In many aspects of the society we live in
such as economic, social, and cultural attributes, the opportunities available are associated
with being a man or a woman. All genders are challenged by the varying presuppositions
about their social behavior, relationship, fashion, work ethics, etc. that are expected of them
by the society.

Equality and equity are two very distinct concepts. Gender equity recognises that
women and gender-diverse people have been historically and socially disadvantaged as
they have inferior access to resources and opportunities compared to men. It is a process
that measures what is often needed to level the playing field for all genders and to ensure
fairness. It puts the focus on giving justice regarding benefits and needs for all genders by
the equal distribution of resources based on the needs of different groups of people.
Whereas equality demands equal enjoyment by women and men of socially-valued goods,
opportunities, resources and rewards. In the act of gender inequality, it is not men who are
excluded or put at a disadvantage in relation to judgment and access to economic and
social resources. Thereby, treating men, women, and gender-diverse people equally might
create further unfavorable conditions.

The critical aspect of equity is to empower all genders by focusing on the recognition
and rectification of the power imbalances among all genders. It is imperative for all people to
understand gender equity to achieve it as it is intrinsically linked to extensive realization of
human rights for all.

In supporting this, we can start in small, personal ways to improve our perceptions
among the opposite genders. I want to start by listening and reflecting. I try to read the
stances of different organizations that promote the SOGIE bill to gain understanding of the
adversaries that the members of the community are facing. I reflect on my thoughts, words,
and actions and dismiss chauvinist and racist attitudes. I try to call people out regardless of
familiarity, if they ever exude such attitudes. I recognize the usefulness of the SOGIE Bill in
protecting human dignity and against acts of discrimination as it encompasses the rights of
all Filipino because we all have sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

We must deal with gender as social and cultural in nature rather than biological.
Gender attributes, characteristics and the roles all genders play are the expectations placed
upon them can vary widely among societies and change over time. But the fact that gender
attributes are socially constructed means that they are also acquiescent and changeable in
ways that can make a society more fair and just. Gender equality does not mean that men,
women, and gender-diverse individuals become equally the same; only the access to
opportunities and life changes should be neither dependent on, nor constrained by, their
sex.