WOMEN in the Philippines: Inspiring and

Empowered
TELL ME ABOUT YOU…
FINDING FUN GAME
TOPICS

• Introduction/Overview
• Facts, Issues & National Perspective
• Challenges Women Face
• Relating to Meriam
• Why Empower Women
• Women’s Rights
• Women Bills
• Recipes to Succeed
 Facts, Issues & National
Perspective
• Nation's recognition of the role and
importance of women are evident on
aspects such as justice, education,
economics, politics and health.
• Traditionally believed to be the main
breadwinners while women are
responsible for childbearing.
• Filipino women are prevented from
entering the labor force because of
the gender role stereotyping,
particularly in relation to
reproductive responsibilities.
 Challenges for Aspiring
Women in Leadership Roles
• Being treated equally
• Garnering support from other women
• Being confident
• Speaking up
• Building alliances with decision-makers
• Asking for money
• Speaking on accomplishments
• Overcoming perfectionism
 MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO
“Gender equality? No!
Biologically, men and women
When women are empowered as have differences. Women
political leaders, countries often
menstruate, women get
experience higher standards of
living with positive developments pregnant, women lactate. Do
in education, infrastructure, and men have these qualities?” 
health care.

A smart wife is one who makes

Women are on equal footing sure she spends so much that
with men her husband can't afford
another woman.

Even today, she is remembered as a bold

leader, a charismatic personality, and
a woman of power. 
 WHY EMPOWER
WOMEN?
• It makes families healthier.

• Educated women have better-educated

children and earn higher wages, helping get
their families out of poverty.
• Women participating in the labor market at
the same rate as men would add up to $28
trillion to the annual global gross domestic
product in 2025, shares the World Economic
Forum.
• Every woman should be in charge of her
……. own future. We have an obligation to
protect women's’ rights and promote their
well-being.
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 Women have equal rights with men in education,
Article 10:
including equal access to schools, vocational training,
Education 
and scholarship opportunities.

Women have equal rights in employment, including

Article 11:
without discrimination on the basis of marital status or
Employment 
Women’s maternity.

Rights
Article 12: Women have equal rights to affordable health care
Health  services.

Article 13: Women have equal rights to family benefits, financial

Economic and
credit, and participation in recreational activities.
social life 
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https://pcw.gov.ph/summary-of-articles-and-provisions/#:~:text=Article%2015%3A%20Equality%20before%20the,to%20marriage%20and%20family%20relations.
 Rural women have the right to adequate living
Article 14: Rural conditions, participation in development planning, and
women 
access to health care and education.

Women and men are equal before the law. Women have

Article 15:
the legal right to enter contracts, own property, and
Equality before
the law choose their place of residence.
Women’s
Rights Women have equal rights with men in matters related to
Article 16:
Marriage and marriage and family relations.
family

10
https://pcw.gov.ph/summary-of-articles-and-provisions/#:~:text=Article%2015%3A%20Equality%20before%20the,to%20marriage%20and%20family%20relations.
 HEALTH AND NUTRITION
• Filipino women had higher prevalence of
diabetes and hypertension 
• Across all age/physiologic groups, the
prevalence of anemia was higher among
those belonging in the poorest, 37.7%
among pregnant women; 16.7% among
lactating mothers and 12.1% among non-
pregnant/non-lactating women.
• UNICEF: The lack of access to sexual and
reproductive health services has severe
impacts on women from economically
disadvantaged backgrounds. 
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 CHILD MARRIAGE

• The new law, Republic Act No. 11596, or An

Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage
and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof,
contains strong penalties for those who
arrange or facilitate, participate, and/or
officiate the marriage of a person under 18.
• 17% of Filipino girls are married before their
18th birthday and 2% are married before the
age of 15.
The consequences of child marriage include denial of education, perpetuation of poverty,
and increased likelihood and risks of early pregnancy, childbirth, maternal mortality, and
sexual violence.
 ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY

• Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are

the leading cause of death for girls ages 15-19.
• In 2022, there were 5.4 percent or 5,531 of women
15 to 19 years of age who have ever been pregnant
in the country
• According to the Commission on Population and
Development (PopCom), the Philippines has
recorded a 7% increase in births among girls aged 15
and below.
Pregnancy during teenage years is associated with a higher risk of health
problems such as preeclampsia, anemia, contracting STDs (sexually
transmitted diseases), premature delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and poor
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mental health outcomes. 
 EDUCATION AND
SKILLS DEPED
What problems are women
facing in the education sector?

• These include distance to
school, cultural norms and
practices, school-related
gender-based violence and
TESDA
early or forced marriage. 

CHED
WOMEN BILLS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Magna Carta of Women  RA 9710

Reproductive Health Law RA 10354

 Recipe for Success
• Go for what you want in your career and
don’t to give up.
• Hone the skills necessary to give you
opportunities, such as:
o Your communication skills
o Leadership development
o Emotional intelligence

• Raise your hand in meetings.

• Speak up, and be heard
• Support and Empower other women
who are in leadership roles or who are
aspiring to lead