Comelec wants more women in politics

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections is encouraging more women participation in the electoral process.

The poll body noted that women usually outvoted men in the past elections, yet only few of them got elected or ran for elective offices.

In fact, based on the data from Comelec, women’s voter turnout in 2010 elections was 49.6 percent, higher than that of men at 47.2 percent. In 2013, women’s voter turnout also surpassed men’s with 51.5 percent and 48.5 percent, respectively.

But in May 2013 elections, the number of women vying for at least 18,000 available seats nationwide was only 7,925, significantly lower than that of men at 36,401. In the same year, the elective seats were dominated by men, only 3,580 women were elected.

In Cebu Province, there are 10,203 incumbent officials, including those in barangay level. Of the figure, only 2, 727 are female.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec provincial supervisor, believes that cultural factors may be among the reasons for low levels of women representation in elective offices.

“Sa una ra nga ang mga laki pa gyod naa sa elective positions. Even though we had two women presidents already but the local official, gamay pa gyod kaayo,” he told reporters.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, co-chairperson of the Provincial Women’s Commission, attributed the low number of representation to the “macho culture” and the lack of confidence of the women.

She noted that women are also faced by practical barriers such as greater family responsibilities.

“Ang role pud sa women naa ra’s balay, that’s why we have to empower them, confidence building,” she said during the Comelec Gender and Development seminar on women and elections.

The two-day seminar was initiated by Comelec and attended by local women officials in the province.

Castillano explained that the effort was made to help increase the women’s participation in electoral exercise and equip them with knowledge on the guidelines with regards to elections and election rules and regulations.

“Mitaas man pud ang participation sa women but dili dramatic ang increase. Hopefully, moabot ang panahon nga modaghan ang mo-participate. Ang pag-elect depende man pod na sa tawo. Participation is really important,” he said. — (FREEMAN)