WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES

Angie SinnWS 3130Dr. Sarah RaineyApril 10, 2011

WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES

Topics:History of the Filipino WomanRole and Status of Women in the PhilippinesTreatment of Filipino WomenFeminism in the PhilippinesChanging Role of Women in Philippine Society

HISTORY OF THE FILIPINO WOMAN

HISTORY OF THE FILIPINO WOMAN:EARLY HISTORY

Pre-colonial: The Negritos : A tribe that were believed

to have migrated to the Philippines around 30,000 years ago from places such as Borneo, Sumatra, and Malaya.

At this time, Filipino women were held in high regard, enjoying equal status with men.

HISTORY OF THE FILIPINO WOMAN:EARLY HISTORY CONTINUED

Colonial: During the 16th century, Spanish intruders

came to the Philippines, and demanded Filipinos to produce surplus by use of forced labor.

This institutionalized the socio-economic structure of the country.

In turn, this created relations of dependence as well as exploitation of Filipino women.

Spanish conquest aided the transformation of women from respected equals of men to objects of subjugation.

ROLE AND STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES

ROLE AND STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES:RURAL SETTING

Filipino woman belongs in the home.She is known as the family treasurer.She supports educational needs for her

children.She (being the wife) never makes the

final decision.The housewife is often referred to as

Reyna ng Tahanan (Queen of the Home).

ROLE AND STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES:URBAN SETTING

Society believes Filipino women should marry, have children, and stay at home.

If a woman chooses to work outside of the home, they are normally found in domestic service (91%), professional and technical positions (59.4 %), and sales (57.9 %).

Single Filipinas became liberal because of influences from the west.

To ask a man for a date or to show interest in him is not acceptable for single Filipinas.

TREATMENT OF FILIPINO WOMEN:EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING

TREATMENT OF FILIPINO WOMEN:EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING

Experience discriminationAre seen mainly as: Domestic workers Prostitutes Mail-order bridesTo maintain a good reputation and self-

respect, Filipinas are required to hide their personality and sexuality, along with showing interest in any sort of intimacy.

TREATMENT OF FILIPINO WOMEN:EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING CONTINUED

Women and children: Seen as commodities Sold for profitSeveral categories of trafficking:Transnational sex industry: International prostitutionMail-order bride industryExporting workers: Women as domestic workers

FEMINISM IN THE PHILIPPINES

FEMINISM IN THE PHILIPPINES:PURA VILLANUEVA Pura G. Villanueva-Kalaw 1886-1954 Born August 27, 1886 in Arevalo, Iloilo Known as: Beauty Queen Writer: Contributed weekly articles to El Tiempo in Iloilo Served as the paper’s “Woman’s Page” editor Writings dealt with feminist issues Suffragette: Made mark in Philippine history working for rights of Filipino women Organized the Asociacion Feminista Ilongga: Purpose was to enfranchise Filipina credo, “What a man can do, a woman

can do as well.” Campaign for the enfranchisement of Filipino women pushed Legislature to

pass suffrage bill in 1933: Bill became Commonwealth Act No.34 Was later repealed by the Constitutional Convention Pura died of a heart attack in 1954

FEMINISM IN THE PHILIPPINES:PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN Established on January 7, 1975 by President

Ferdinand Marcos. Government run agency in the Philippines Intention to promote and protect rights of women in

the Philippines. Main focus of organization: Organizing women into a nationwide movement called

“Balikatan sa Kaunlaran” (now registered as an independent women’s organization).

Conducting policy studies and lobbying for the issuance of executive and legislative measures concerning women.

Establishing a clearinghouse and information center on women

Monitoring the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

FEMINISM IN THE PHILIPPINES:FEMINIST GROUPS GABRIELA: General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms,

Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Action In honor of Gabriela Silang Founded during the Marcos years by women from all

walks of life Grass roots-based national and international alliance of

250 organizations and institutions Work against issues that affect women adversely: Landlessness Militarization Denial of women’s health rights Violence against women and children Prostitution/trafficking

THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMAN IN PHILIPPINE SOCIETY:TRANSFORMATIONS

“The Filipina woman is a combination of grace and elegance, intelligence and practicality and most of all at these present times, she is the image of a working mother who is capable of managing what she does with her time to ensure that her family comes first before anything else.”

Bai Maleiha (December 3, 2008).

THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN PHILIPPINE SOCIETY:TRANSFORMATIONS CONTINUED

Transformation from homemaker to working mother

Executive in business An asset to the managerial world Fights to strengthen the economic condition of

family life Filipina women provide order, and paying

attention to detail when it comes to economic tasks, as well as tasks in the home

Educational strides Empowered Politicized

WORKS CITED

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<http://www.helium.com/items/1255237-the-filipina-woman-the-transformations>.

Marien, Mariamne. "A Passerby’s Trail » Blog Archive » The Changing Role of Women in

Philippine Society." A Passerby’s Trail. 17 Oct. 1996. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.

<http://blog.marientech.com/the-changing-role-of-women-in-philippine-society.html>.

Mirkinson, Judith. "Trafficking Women in Asia." SelenaSol.com. 13 Sept. 1994. Web. 10 Apr.

2011. <http://selenasol.com/selena/struggle/prostitution.html>.

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