FAJARDO, NOMER AERICH R.

12 ABM 5
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

The Definition of Gender Equality to us Filipinos

According to the Dictionary, gender equality is the state in which access to rights or

opportunities is unaffected by gender. It also said that gender equality is achieved when women

and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic

participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviours, aspirations and needs of

women and men are equally valued and favoured but is this our definition of gender ‘equality’?

According to Portia Ladrido (2018), “the Philippines boasts of being one of the most

gender-equal countries in the world for the past years, the most recent Global Gender Gap Index

of the World Economic Forum shows the Philippines slipping three spots from 7th place.” Despite

being in the top 10 of GGGP why some Filipinos still had so many problems and issues with

gender equality especially with the LGBTQA+ community. Problems with toilets and schools

especially made for LGBT community, is this issue is still about equality or wanting to be special

among others? Here in Philippines if a man hurt a girl it is called, violence and this situation might

lead to imprisonment but if girls really hurt a man physically it is called, discipline and it is not

even bother the law and if you will try to search a law against violence all you can see is law about

women and children only like ‘REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9262’ which only concerns the women and

the children and if you also read ‘REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7192’ it states that this law declares that

all men activities are now equal to women and most of the law is about women and women alone.

There are many proofs that gender equality is not yet achieved in this country and all over the

world not only seen in our everyday life but also in different media like movie context, social
media and many more ways. Me myself also experienced this kind of situation which everyone

thought I am a gay which I’m not and I will not become not because I don’t like gay people but I

just don’t want to. I have so many friends that are part of LGBT community but I also have

theologies and beliefs that are against them like no to same-sex marriage and many things LGBT+

community wants to implement because some of them wanted to have special things like restroom,

schools and different things that they think shows equality.

I think Philippines does not deserve being in the top 10 this 2019 not because of the

blooming issues aroung the genders in Philippines but also the decisions and actions Filipinos

make in terms of gender equality. I prefer follow the law itself and be harm by not following it

than to show that the law itself is wrong because laws are created with such passion and dedication

and should not be provoked by some people who are offended by who really they are.