SUBJECT: GCAS 14 - ELECTIVE 3

Seatwork No.3
ARTICLE DISCUSSION

Submitted by:
Mark Anthony L. Meriño
2nd Yr / BSBA HRDM

Submitted to: Prof. Efigenia Magallanes

Date:September 07, 2023

Article No.1
Problem.

Overcoming barriers to women's work in the Philippines (April 11, 2022)

Sources of problems

Skills. Women who work are mostly concentrated in low skill positions
(due to economic necessity) or high skill occupations (because of high rates
of education). Women in low skill positions work to avoid falling further into
poverty, whereas women in high skill occupations tend to select into the labor
force with high earnings potential. Although many women work in private
establishments or are self-employed, an important share (around 10%) of
women are employed without pay in family-owned businesses and as domestic
workers, occupations which tend to offer narrower avenues for skills
development and career growth. Men on the other hand represent only 4% in
these occupations. An important lesson from the COVID-19 lockdown was that
more than a third of women (35%) who remained employed were able to work
from home as compared to 19% of men. The pandemic has also opened some
new working-from-home opportunities with industries such as business process
outsourcing and e-commerce.
Wage gap. Women earn more on average than men, but women in low skill
positions earn much less than men. In families with both men and women
being low skilled workers, the household income will suffer significantly less if
the female engages in unpaid work than if the man does. In low skill positions,
the daily wage is over 50% higher for men than for women, whereas in high skill
occupations, the daily wage is about 20% higher for women than for men.
Care responsibilities. The number of children reduces the likelihood of
women’s employment. A large proportion of women are held back from
productive employment opportunities by their family responsibilities and the
concentration of women in high-skill positions declines considerably when they
have young children. Having been married and having a young child aged 0 to 2
years old decreases the probability of women’s participation in the labor market
by 7-14 percentage points. The presence of domestic help reduces this negative
effect, reflecting how economic inequalities reinforce gender disparities.
Norms. Attitudes and beliefs about women’s roles and responsibilities
decrease the probability of women’s engagement in the labor market by 14
to 22 percentage points (ISSP Family and Changing Gender Roles Survey and
World Values Survey). According to our 2021 nationally representative survey
on women’s work and childcare, 75% of male and 80% of female respondents
agree that a man’s job is to earn money and a woman’s job is to take care of the
family and home. More than 70% of men and 76% of women believe that the
emotional and psychosocial development skills of a preschool child suffers with a
mother working outside the home (a belief that stands in contract to global
research see for example Devercelli and Beaton-Day 2020). Moreover,
willingness to use childcare services is limited, with over 95% of both men and
women believing that childcare should be provided by family members.
Effects to the society

We discussed policy recommendations at a recent roundtable between the

World Bank, the Philippines Commission on Women, National Economic and
Development Authority, the Department of Education, and Oxfam Philippines.
Key outcomes were that findings highlight the need for policies and programs
that increase female labor force participation in the Philippines by i) providing
alternatives to childcare in the home; ii) promoting policies supporting flexible
work arrangements, including work from home and e-commerce, such as
amendment of the Telecommuting Act (Republic Act 11165); and iii) addressing
gendered social norms that affect women’s participation in the labor market
through media campaigns, behavioral and attitude change interventions that
influence opinions about masculinity, gender roles, earlier childhood
development, legislation and company policies that equally promotes parents to
engage in care responsibilities.

Solutions

1. Talk to women and girls

A fundamental reason we have not yet achieved gender equality in every realm is
that women and girls’ voices are too often excluded from global and national
decision-making.
2. Let girls use mobile phones
The majority of girls in India don’t have access to using basic technology such as
phones and computers because of infrastructure related challenges and
economic reasons.
3. Stop child marriage and sexual harassment
If we want girls to be able to complete education we have to end child marriage.
We also have to seriously address sexual harassment of girls.
4. Make education gender sensitive
There has been much progress in increasing access to education, but progress
has been slow in improving the gender sensitivity of the education system,
including ensuring textbooks promote positive stereotypes.
5. Raise aspirations of girls and their parents
We need to give girls images and role models that expand their dreams.
6. Empower mothers
When mothers are educated and empowered to make choices in their lives, they
enable their daughters to go to school.
7. Give proper value to ‘women’s work’
The unpaid work women and girls do provide the foundation for the global
economy. This fact needs to be highlighted more in the media, with the private
sector, and in communities.
8. Get women into power
A proven way to overcome many systemic barriers to a woman’s success has
been increased participation by women in local, regional and national legislation
as empowered change agents.
9. Encourage women into non-traditional vocations
Supporting women in non-traditional jobs is crucial in not only making long-
lasting change in their lives but also help break social taboos.
10. Work together
Between 1999 and 2010, the ratio of girls in secondary school fell from 83 to 82
girls for every 100 boys at the secondary level and from 67 to 63 girls for every
100 boys at the tertiary level. This is stalled progress and a reversion to the deep
gender equalities that characterised previous eras. To address this gap, our
efforts cannot be done in silos, but must involve the people (girls in this case).
Take away

Philippine Commission on Women defined Gender and Development as the

development perspective and process that is participatory and empowering,
equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, supportive
of self-determination and actualization of human potentials.

Reference

https://blogs.worldbank.org/eastasiapacific/overcoming-barriers-womens-
work-philippines

Article No.2
Problem.

Violence against women in the Philippines: barriers to seeking support

(MAY 2, 2022)

Sources of problems

One in four Filipino women have experienced gender-based violence, and 41% of
victims do not seek help. Despite existing laws and a sizable local anti-violence
against women (VAW) movement, there are numerous barriers to help-seeking,
and it is ultimately the economic, sociopolitical, and cultural structures that are
to blame. The Philippines is one of the most gender-equal countries in the
Western Pacific region.

Similar to other Asian nations, the Philippines has a patriarchal society that
emphasizes male dominance in larger social institutions and family structures.3
Because women are traditionally seen as subservient and the head of the home,
financial abuse against them is common, and there is high acceptance of VAW.

Effects to the society

The objective is to ensure that functional, responsive, and accessible VAW

solutions that are survivor-centered and trauma-informed with the pandemic
further endangering women's safety. During the quarantine, it should still be
possible to contact local first responders. Referral pathways should be
streamlined to expedite care and assistance: upon identification of victims, a
blanket referral to sexual and reproductive health providers, psychiatric aid,
legal aid, protective shelters, and livelihood assistance can be made. Healthcare
providers must be trained for selective enquiry and first-line support of
survivors. Mobility within the confines of the community limits must be taken
into account while setting up an active, central VAW monitoring system. The use
of more user-friendly communication methods, such as social media, must be
encouraged. In order to improve, marginalized women should be monitored,
given legal protection, and assisted by VAW survivors.

Solution

Services for women and girls experiencing violence can be the difference
between life and death. This means that shelters, hotlines, counseling and all
support for survivors of gender-based violence need to be available for those in
need, even during crises and emergencies

Takeaway

Marriage and childbearing are associated with a significant decline in the female
labour force participation, especially for the 25 to 29-year-old cohort. More
patriarchal family structures reduce a woman's employment rate by 8 to 13
percentage points.
Reference

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanwpc/article/PIIS2666-
6065(22)00086-4/fulltext

Article No.3

Problem

Same-Sex Marriages in the Philippines (February 10, 2023)

Sources of problems

Same-sex marriage has been an up and coming issue. As of 2015, twenty

countries have legalized same-sex marriage (Freedom to Marry, 2015), with the
trend likely to increase over time. In the Philippines, local activists have tried to
avoid this discussion in favor of advocating

Effects to the society

Although same-sex marriages are not yet recognized in the Philippines, same-sex
couples who want to get married legally have other choices. Courtly, an online
platform that permits couples to legally wed regardless of their country, sexual
orientation, or geographic location, is one remedy. Without the need for
residency or citizenship requirements, Courtly offers a simple and convenient
way for couples to receive a legally binding US marriage certificate from the state
of Utah.

Solution

The same legal protections as a married pair would still apply to a couple who
decides against getting married for personal or other reasons. Access to job and
health benefits is the second greatest advantage of a civil union.
Take away

Married couples also have privileges as next-of-kin in legal proceedings. This

enables these to make medical decisions for their spouse if they become
incapacitated. They will also sue for wrongful death if their partner dead.
Furthermore, married people could also decide if their spouse should be buried
or cremated.

Reference

https://www.courtly.com/resources/how-to-get-married-as-a-same-sex-couple-
in-the-philippines

Article No.4

Problem

Halt judicial harassment and investigate killing of activists (April 08, 2021)
Sources of problems

World Alliance for Citizen Participation is a global alliance of civil society

organisations (CSOs) and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and
civil society around the world. Founded in 1993, CIVICUS has more than 10,000
members in more than 175 countries throughout the world.

Effects to the society

The chairperson of human rights group Karapatan Elisa “Tita” Lubi and
Karapatan – Southern Mindanao Southern Mindanao Region Secretary General
Jayvee Apiag are currently facing attempted murder charges which we believe
have been fabricated. The charges were filed by Corporal Elvin Jay Claud in
relation to an alleged 20 May 2018 armed encounter between elements of the
New People’s Army and the Philippine Army’s 89th Infantry Battalion and 10th
Infantry Division in Sitio Balite, Brgy. Salapawan, Paquibato District, Davao City.
The case was only filed on 3 June 2020 two years after the alleged encounter

Solution

Being red-tagged in the Philippines means the government is accusing you of

being a New People's Army fighter or a supporter of the communist insurgency.
The red-tagging is usually done through social media posts or being called out in
government news releases or press conferences.

Take away

Extra Judicial Killing is the killing of a person by governmental authorities

without the sanction of any judicial proceeding or any legal process .
Extrajudicial Punishments are unlawful by nature, because they break the
process of legal jurisdiction in which they occur
Reference

https://www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/media-
releases/open-letters/5027-philippines-halt-judicial-harassment-and-
investigate-killing-of-activists

Article No.5

Problem
Mental health and well-being of children in the Philippine setting during the
COVID-19 pandemic

Sources of problems
he Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2023 highlights that children are
among the most vulnerable population groups in society, including them in
strategies for risk reduction and adaptive capacity strengthening. Approximately
40% of the total Philippine population is comprised of Filipinos below 18 years
of age.2 Despite having a large portion of the Philippine population declared as
vulnerable, concerning issues involving them still persist and remain
unaddressed.

Effects to the society

Among Filipino children aged 5 to 15, 10% to 15% are affected by mental health
problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 16.8% of Filipino
students aged 13 to 17 have attempted suicide at least once within a year before
the 2015 Global School-based Student Health survey. This is just one of the many
indicators showing the state of mental health of these children. These statistics
involving children’s mental health are concerning as childhood is a crucial period
where most mental health disorders begin. Efforts should be made to identify
these issues early for proper treatment in prevention of negative health and
social outcomes. Childhood mental and developmental disorders also frequently
persist into adulthood, making it more likely for them to have compromised
growth with greater need for medical and disability services and higher risk of
getting involved with law enforcement agencies. In this context, the COVID-19
pandemic threatens to worsen these numbers, affecting the delivery of the
Philippines’ health care services, including those for children’s mental health.

Solution

Aside from being regarded as one of the countries with the longest lockdown, the
Philippines has also been called out by the United Nations for employing a highly
militaristic approach in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.15Militarization may
come across as threatening, because it implies a potential for
violence.16 Furthermore, few studies abroad have reported that children and
adolescents may tend to view police forces as punitive figures whom they
fear.17,18 While these qualitative studies were conducted long before the current
health crisis began, it may be possible for increased military presence in
communities to exacerbate the fears already emanating from the pandemic itself;
this can negatively impact a child’s psychological development.4 Still, local
evidence to confirm these associations, especially in the context of the pandemic,
is lacking. Many studies have already documented the impact of lockdown on
children, but none of them have looked into how the strategies for
implementation may also be contributory to their mental health or well-being.

Take aways

The fear and anxiety of contracting the virus, the suspension of physical classes,
the disruption of regular daily routine, and the decrease of social support from
school peers collectively add burden to the mental well-being of children.
Reference

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8501475/