Women empowerment and social change

At the height of the women’s liberation movement in the 1960s, the International Federation of University Women immediately called a conference on how women can be effective agents of change in their respective countries. It was heartwarming to note that based on the comparative country reports, Filipino women were at par, if not ahead of women, in other countries in terms of curbing gender discrimination and domestic violence.

However, we seem to have lagged behind in consolidating action on equally important problems, particularly in the field of governance. Although Philippine history is replete with records of women’s bravery and participation in revolutions against colonial rule, notably Gabriela Silang, Gregoria de Jesus, and Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora) who hosted the tearing of cedulas by the Katipuneros in Balintawak, later women leaders rose to power propelled by their political experience and pedigree. Today, women in the professions and in politics are making their influence felt in governance, business, and civic works. But much remains to be done to be truly relevant in bringing about social change.

We have a nation still at war with an invisible and unpredictable enemy. Its economy hangs at the edge of the cliff that, without remittances from overseas Filipino workers, could suffer a financial collapse.

How can women help in lifting the country back on its feet?

The first step is to convert their number into power. Easier said than done? No. Because almost half of this country’s population are women, many of them still unaware of what they can do for the country. It is time their more knowledgeable sisters enlighten them by example. One does not need to be a celebrity or a politician to be a social influencer.

In every household is a mother who can wield influence on her husband and children. She is her children’s first teacher and molder of moral and cultural values. This in a sense already makes her an agent of change.

However, empowering the individual is only half the goal of women’s empowerment. It is the direction and collective force behind it that make change relevant to the state. Change based on personality cult or popularity on social media does not mean much in bringing about social change. Partisan interests do not guarantee meaningful change. Reactions to important issues and records of responsive performance are what matters. It is therefore important to raise the level of awareness among women in all walks of life, not necessarily by formal education but by effective communication.

What are the current challenges that the collective action of women must focus on? First and foremost is the economic survival of the family. This includes food sufficiency and affordability. It is sad to note that even organized groups are not consulted in formulating food policies like importation, food safety, food production, and market behavior. Altogether, women constitute the biggest consumer group and are a primary source of information in the country. Their voting power also matters.

The next focus should be health and education. Prevention of disease and medical interventions are a prime concern of women. Maternal health and child care are to a great extent the exclusive concern of mothers. There is no substitute for their reproductive and child-bearing function. But good health alone is not enough to make mothers an effective guide to her children. She must learn her rights under the law to protect them and herself. This is one advocacy where women lawyers can be agents of social change.

Today, we have a great number of women in government. We have had two women presidents, justices of the Supreme Court, Cabinet members, legislators, and several governors and mayors in the local level. The incumbent vice president is just a step away from the presidency.

History will record women’s accomplishments. But we will be judge of their contributions to social change. Will they make a difference?

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Eva Maggay-Inciong taught history and political science during her younger years. She once headed the Philippine Association of University Women, whose early founders were pioneer educators who led and won the fight for suffrage for Filipino women.