The Philippine Govern-Women’t by Lauren Buizon

As the 2022 Presidential Elections approach, Filipino voters have the chance to choose a new set of leaders to represent them. It is during this time that a better future is within their reach — that is, if they make the right decisions. In order to make that possible, past political mistakes are often brought to light in hopes that they are corrected. With the candidacy of female leaders Leni Robredo and Sara Duterte for the presidency and vice presidency, respectively, they are noticeably the odd ones amongst their mostly male competitors. Here we can see one of the adjustable flaws of Filipino politics: the lack of female leaders in the Philippine government. 

It is ironic that, despite belonging to half of the country’s population, only one-fifth of elected candidates are female (Philippine Commission on Women, n.d.). Despite the equal capabilities of women to guide their own people, it is the belief that men make better leaders that hinders the selection of female ones. This belief has been rooted in the Filipino community for a long time, and although disappointing, it is not surprising that many still live by it today. The idea that women are too fragile to handle the pressures of power looms over Filipino voters. The assumption that women’s duties as mothers and wives restrain them from focusing on anything else causes voters to distrust female political aspirants. It is even particularly discouraging seeing these ideas reflected in the current most powerful person in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte. “The emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different,” was his logic in justifying that the experiences brought by the presidency are not for women (Ranada, 2021). The president of a country said this in a speech on live television. He said this for every woman to hear and for every man to believe.

Now, the lack of female leaders can be labeled as “a flaw in the system” because of the effects this brings. With men primarily running the government, there is a lack of representation in the discussion of women’s issues. Without a doubt, men have the ability to be sympathetic to the struggles of the other sex. However, since these are challenges that they do not always experience firsthand, only a certain extent of understanding can be achieved. Sometimes, even the most severe of these issues does not affect a man’s judgment. Indeed, only women can wholly understand their own struggles. Nonetheless, the lack of female voices in public office leads to a lack of practical and valuable solutions to problems such as unsafe abortion and the unfair persecution of sexual abusers. In addition to that, the continuous rejection of women in politics reinforces many harmful gender stereotypes, such as the ones mentioned in the previous paragraph. This can be extremely disheartening to female youth and adults who might see society as a place that does not want them to be a part of the conversation and lead the change. 

Upon close inspection, the lack of female leaders has repercussions, especially on how women are seen today. However, now that another election is coming, the country’s women and their allies have hope of seeing themselves truly represented in the government. Victims of gender inequality have hope of finally receiving the justice they deserve. There is even hope that Filipinos will realize something important about women: They are not too emotional. They are not weak. Women are, without a doubt, fit to lead a country as well as a man. It all comes down to the qualities each one possesses and not the attributes brought by her sex. Again, women can lead, but what they need to have a seat at the table is someone who will advocate for them. Perhaps, this election, there will be enough advocates for the right women to rise into power. If not, there will always be another election.