Women's Movement in the Philippines - GEE2 Report - 2024

Republic of the Philippines Pangasinan State University Sta. Maria Campus Sta. Maria, Pangasinan **WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES** Aa A Partial Requirement in GEE2 -- Gender and Society Submitted by: GROUP 7 ANCHETA, KENETH JAMES O. ESPIRITU, BRYAN MARU Q. FELIPE, MILDRED O. TABILI...

Republic of the Philippines Pangasinan State University Sta. Maria Campus Sta. Maria, Pangasinan **WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES** Aa A Partial Requirement in GEE2 -- Gender and Society Submitted by: GROUP 7 ANCHETA, KENETH JAMES O. ESPIRITU, BRYAN MARU Q. FELIPE, MILDRED O. TABILIN, ROBERT Submitted to: Ms. Clarisse C. Delos Santos Instructor December 6, 2024 **I. Introduction** Women\'s activism in the Philippines is the due to years of strife and participation in a variety of historical settings. Given that the nation was founded on colonial history, it is important to determine the role that women\'s quest for liberation plays. The people and ruling class must support women\'s engagement in the struggle for democracy, equality, and social justice in our society, which is rife with unequal power distribution. The women\'s movement in the Philippines changed and responded to the current situation as part of a broad variety of social movements. The modifications to the character of the women\'s migration from one era to another was a suitable reaction to the social atmosphere and to their battle\'s state at various stages throughout the historical. Consequently, in order to comprehend the current features to demonstrate the position of the movement, we must first of females in the nation\'s history, and their part in specifically influencing their movement\'s history, and the country as a whole. **II. Discussion** PRE-COLONIAL IN THE PHILIPPINES =============================== Before the arrival of the Hispanics, parents took equal pride in their offspring and there was no distinction between sons and daughters. Youngsters participated in society and received an education. The wife\'s family was given a dowry, and marriages were arranged. Negotiations, economic activity, and household decisions were all handled by women. They possessed substantial land holdings and family fortune. Women may be clan leaders and were not outsiders in the public sphere. Men and women now enjoy some equality, particularly when it comes to women contributing to the family\'s income. However, because women were once village leaders, gender inequity emerged throughout colonial times. PHILIPPINE WOMEN IN THE HISPANIC PERIOD ======================================= During Spanish colonization of the Philippines, Filipino women were subjected to a foreign moral code, with the Spanish clergy teaching them to abstain from sin, dress modestly, and sacrifice themselves. This transformed them into perfect women, reducing their roles in society and power dynamics. Despite this, women continued to play a significant role in the Philippine Revolution, joining Emilio Aguinaldo\'s army and assuming similar roles within the Katipunan. **Filipino Women in the American Era\ ** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - 1899 | The ***Associacion de Damas de la | | | Cruz Roja*** (or the "Women's Red | | | Cross Association") was formed to | | | help in the Philippine war | | | effort. | +===================================+===================================+ | - 1902 | The ***Liga Femenina de la Paz*** | | | or "Philippine Women's League of | | | Peace" was set up to assist in | | | the US pacification of the | | | Philippine Islands. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - 1905 | The ***Associacion Femenista | | | Filipina*** -- an organization | | | that gathered volunteers to | | | reform the Philippine society -- | | | was created. It promoted social | | | change through prison reforms, | | | education reforms (which included | | | further education of women), the | | | improvement of women's conditions | | | in factories, and the inclusion | | | of women in certain local | | | governing bodies | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - 1909 | A magazine devoted to women's | | | issues came out to foster the | | | struggle for women's rights and | | | improvement. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - 1929 | The first women's convention was | | | organized by the Philippine | | | Women's Suffragette Movement, | | | wherein the suffrage rights of | | | women was agreed for. The fight | | | for maternity leave with pay was | | | also brought to the table. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - 1935 | **Act No. 2711** granted women | | | the right to vote, thus the | | | creation of the General Council | | | of Women to make sure that this | | | right would be exercised by 1937. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - 1937 | Filipina women realized their | | | right to vote. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - 1939 | The League of Women's Voters was | | | organized for voter's education. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ **Insights about women's movements from the American period until Martial Law activism are relevant:** ====================================================================================================== **Men-dominated movements, including suffrage and independence movements.** - women participated in movements led by men, like suffrage and independence, but were often sidelined. **Women\'s involvement granted them liberties and roles traditionally denied.** - these movements gave women rights and roles that were traditionally denied, like voting and public participation. **Movements provided institutional framework for participation in the outside world.** - the movements created formal opportunities for women to engage in political and public life. **Goals and objectives were valid for a smaller or greater section of Filipino women.** - the objectives helped many women, though they benefited mostly those from privileged backgrounds. **Support for women\'s movements was insufficient to transform the patriarchal system.** - legal gains didn't fully dismantle the patriarchal system, as societal norms and practices remained unchanged. **The Birth of Militant Groups with a Feminist Agenda** ======================================================= Revolutionary groups in the 1960s and 1970s, linked to communist and socialist movements, argued that the US-dominated economy led to underdevelopment and poverty. Women working within these groups recognized the importance of liberation for women\'s equality. They believed that liberating the nation from elite exploitation and the US was the only way to achieve equality. However, women\'s issues were considered secondary within these movements, and militant women had to unite under the socialist party to push for a women\'s agenda while striving for national liberation. ### **Malayang Kilusan ng Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA)** - Focuses on women\'s liberation and rights, advocating for gender equality and social justice. ### **Kilusan ng Kababaihang Pilipina (PILIPINA)** - Aims to empower Filipino women, addressing issues like women\'s rights, political participation, and community development. ### **Katipunan ng Kababaihan Para sa Kalayaan (KALAYAAN)** - Focuses on achieving freedom and equality for women, likely advocating for political and social reform. **National Organization of Women (NOW)** - Works toward gender equality, women\'s empowerment, and advocacy for women\'s rights in all sectors. ### **Alliance of Women for Action towards Reconciliation (AWARE)** - Promotes reconciliation and unity, addressing societal and gender issues. ### **Women for the Ouster of Marcos and Boycott (WOMB)** - ### Historically focused on political activism, particularly against the Marcos regime, advocating for democracy and human rights. ### ** Association of Women in Theology (AWIT)** - ### Focuses on women\'s roles in theology and religious discourse, promoting gender-inclusive perspectives in faith communities. ### ** Samahang Makabayan ng Kabataang Kababaihan (SAMAKA-Kababaihan)** - ### Likely prioritizes the empowerment of young women through education, leadership, and advocacy. ### ** General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action (GABRIELA)** - A well-known organization that addresses a wide range of women\'s issues, including violence against women, economic equality, and political representation. **PRACTICAL FEMINISM IN THE PHILIPPINES** ========================================= The Philippine women\'s movement, in comparison with movements in the West, has mostly focused on practical rather than intellectual issues. This is due to the fact that Filipino women and Filipinos in general face a variety of oppressions. Philippine feminism has deliberately worked with governmental, civil society, and political groups to improve the lives of women. Key concerns include economic stability, representation in the government, equality in the workplace, rights to reproductive health, domestic violence, human trafficking, harassment, and violence against women. Feminist issues also matter in educational and artistic contexts where women\'s representation and voices are respected. Academic feminist theory\'s primary objectives are to describe women\'s oppression, understand their position in Philippine society, and look into how they have contributed to advancement. The tangible problems faced by women are usually the foundation of Philippine feminism. ### **Major concerns include:** - Violence against women (harassment, domestic violence trafficking) - Reproductive Health Rights - Workplace Equality - Representation in Government - Economic Security - Feminist issues in academic and artistic fields focus on the women\'s voice, representation, and their contribution to development. - Philippine feminism is grounded in concrete concerns defined by the exploitation and marginalization of women in the developing world. - Grassroots-based feminist movements are usually organized by women-oriented NGOs. **III. Conclusion** Women have participated effectively in several aspects of Philippine society throughout history, holding positions of leadership and influencing the growth of the country. The Spanish did not totally repress women, even though they were on an equal footing with males. They served as leaders in a variety of capacities, including spies, healers, and soldiers. Women proved they could perform a variety of jobs in the military throughout the revolution and the fight against the United States. Women have made important contributions to governance, policymaking, and establishing a nation fostering equality and creativity. Gender equality and the ability of women to assume roles outside of conventional social norms have been greatly aided by the women\'s movement in the Philippines. In 1937, historically underprivileged Filipino women got the right to vote as part of their quest for social, political, economic, and educational respect. Patriarchal systems that restricted women\'s independence and involvement in public life were opposed by the movement. As time went on, it gave women a forum to promote social justice, fight for their rights, and address topics like labor rights, reproductive health, and gender-based violence. The women\'s movement has created a more welcoming society where women may take an equal part in determining the destiny of the country, despite obstacles. **IV. Short Quiz** 1\. A period when parents took equal pride in their offspring and there was no distinction between sons and daughters. a. Pre -- Colonial Period b. Hispanic Period c. American Period 2\. A well-known organization of women that addresses a wide range of women\'s issues, including violence against women, economic equality, and political representation. a. National Organization of Women (NOW) b. General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action (GABRIELA) c. Association of Women in Theology (AWIT) (Format: Font style -- Arial; Size -- 11) \- 10 items \- Multiple Choice