EDITORIAL - Narrowing the gender gap

Here’s a piece of good news amid all the recent turbulence: the Philippines has maintained its ranking as the most gender-equal society in the Asia-Pacific and the seventh in the world. The Global Gender Gap Report 2016 prepared by the World Economic Forum showed the Philippines closing nearly 79 percent of the gender gap, which rated 144 economies based on health, education, economic and political indicators.

In the Asia-Pacific, only the Philippines and New Zealand made it to the world’s Top 10. The Philippines ranked behind Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Rwanda and Ireland, and was rated ahead of Slovenia, New Zealand and Nicaragua.

The Philippines could have rated higher in the past, but resistance to the Reproductive Health Law pulled down the ranking. With the passage of the RH Law, the WEF noted a slip in gender parity in terms of education, but the gap was also closed last year. In the latest scorecard, the country achieved the highest marks globally in the education and health indicators. It garnered the lowest scores in political empowerment and economic participation.

While the Philippine ranking is high, there is in fact a lot that can still be done to narrow the gender gap in the country. Implementation of the RH Law – one of the items in the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of President Duterte – has been derailed by legal challenges. Laws to promote the welfare of women, notably the one against domestic violence, need better implementation. While the law requires barangay officials to assist victims of domestic violence, there are complaints that many officials refuse to carry out their duty. This apparently stems from the traditional mindset that considers domestic violence as a private matter best left for the parties to settle among themselves – a mindset that the law seeks to change.

In underdeveloped communities, women can also use more training or assistance in becoming entrepreneurs. Along this line, the government can facilitate funding access and skills training for women who want to engage in micro enterprises. Filipino women are among the most empowered in the world, but there’s still a wide room for promoting their welfare especially in marginalized communities.