Op-ed: Underrepresentation of women in Philippines' government requires complex solutions

Women held only 24 percent of elected positions in the country in 2022, down from 30 percent in 2017. Despite progressive laws like the 1987 Constitution and the Magna Carta of Women—both of which uphold women’s equal role in nation-building—Filipina leaders remain vastly underrepresented in governance. The sharp decline in political participation is not just a statistic–it’s a warning. [ . . . ] To advance gender equality in politics in the Philippines, Encinas-Franco emphasized that strengthening political parties is crucial. Institutionalizing gender quotas and incentivizing female candidates can level the playing field. “We’re not saying that we want more men in politics, but we have to provide equity measures to equalize, to give women the chance,” Encinas-Franco said. Electoral laws, such as proportional representation and reserved seats for women, have proven effective in other countries and could be explored in the Philippine context.
Read the full article here: Philippine Information Agency