Still a wide room for improvement in women empowerment

“Although the Philippines still has room for improvement in addressing issues concerning women, it is by-far a great place to become a woman.” This assessment, made by the Asia Society, is an auspicious commentary on the extent and scope of women empowerment in the country.

Across a broad spectrum of concerns, the country passes muster but more work still needs to be done.

In the political sphere, two women presidents have led the country in 15 out of the 34 years that the 1987 Constitution has been in force. A significant number of women have been elected as senators, members of the House of Representatives, provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and even as barangay chairpersons. But women advocates argue for even greater participation that would be proportionate to their share of the country’s total population.