“Societies that treat women badly are dangerous societies. The empowerment of women is not only morally right, it is also practical in the positive impact it has on so many social ills.”
― Condoleezza Rice, No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington
PROVIDING welfare and services for the community’s sake is the primary agenda of public service. At its core, it seeks to deliver actions with integrity concerning its people’s best interests. It is intended to address their rights, concerns, and various needs to sustain society efficiently.
The pursuit of outstanding politics is complex; an intense combat, remarkably a hundred times complicated compared to what it shows from its surface. Oftentimes, we hear news of clashes of standpoints, biases, and even prejudices among genders. On who between them can ace debates, and negotiate better, or who amid brilliant minds can protect their reputation neatly and wisely.
Who among them can manipulate their cards with principle? That said, where are you in the political spectrum?
Ladies and Gentleman, Them
The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is a training ground for young leaders. A stepping stone to learning and acquiring crucial experiences they can utilize in the next chapters of their leadership. Yet, like any other, women often face challenges in asserting their competencies and prowess.
Despite this, many female young politicians continue to change the narrative and break the stereotyping mindset of others, proving that leadership knows no gender and age requirements.
“My inspiration to run for SK Chair stemmed from a deep-seated desire to serve my community and address the pressing needs of its people,” Christa Angelick V. Malinao, a 21-year-old college student taking Communication Arts, who is in her first year and four months as a Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman of Nangka 1, Mogpog, Marinduque shared her story.
“Witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by the youth and the lack of opportunities in our barangay, I felt compelled to contribute my skills and dedication to create positive change. I believe in fostering a more inclusive and progressive environment for everyone,” SK Malinao further explained.
From her humble beginnings, up to these days where she gradually accomplished her ultimate manifestations for her fellow youth. Which reminds us that being a leader takes courage and discipline to make things happen. Everything is one step at a time. As superman has said, “with great power comes great responsibility.”
On the other hand, Nancy Madrigal, the previous municipal Mayor of Buenavista, recalled one of the most formidable experiences of her term back in 2019 to 2022, during the coronavirus disease pandemic strike. This particular health problem in our country has helped her to sharpen her skills more and strengthen her compassion to be a good leader for her people.
“Very challenging ang panahon ng aking panunungkulan. Dumating ang COVID-19 ng walang kahandaan sa kalusugan at buhay ng tao ang nakasalalay. But I have to stand firm with my decisions guided by national policies. Ang protocol ng Covid-19 ay bago sa kanila at hindi katanggap-tanggap. Limitadong pagkilos, emosyonal ang mga tao, galit, malungkot, naiinip,” the former Mayor said.
Undoubtedly, the impacts of the said virus was one of the most challenging periods in our history. Numerous lives were lost due to this infectious disease while some people were all new and in denial of its fatal impact. Yet, despite the countless engagements in conflict to protect, ease, and educate her people, Mayor Nancy dealt with that terrifying experience with hope for her town and God.
“Bilang ina ng bayan, kailangan kong manindigan at mag-perform para sa ligtas at malusog na pamayanan. Hindi ako nagka-covid sa kabila ng exposed ako sa tao sa pagtugon, sa awa at habag ng Diyos,” she shared. When another virus came, it was a deja vu moment for her and the people of her town. But as an empowered woman who leads a town who value support, they triumph against it. “Dumapo din ang ASP sa aming bayan, apektado ang pangkabuhayan ng mga tao. Naging mahigpit din ang protocol nito na ‘di rin matanggap ng mga tao. [Pero] napagtagumpayan din namin ito,” the woman stated, with evident pride and joy.
Prejudice on Female Politicians
However, inspite of their initiatives to seek changes and equality for all, traces of prejudices among genders are still in their business.
Based on the study of Michela Cella and Elena Manzoni in 2023, regarding gender bias and women’s political performance, the global under-representation of women in parliaments continues to baffle both political scientists and political economists. Although gaps between genders have diminished or vanished in numerous fields, women remain a minority in elected legislative bodies.
Evidently, this remains visibly concerning to the account of female politicians. As if being women or being part of another community can hinder their goals and missions in attending to their responsibilities.
“Nagkakaroon ng gender discrimination dahil sa ako ay isang lesbian. Nagiging biased ang pananaw na hindi kaya ng babae mamuno at magpasunod sa nasasakupan,” Kristle Quimora, a 27-year-old, former Barangay Councilor for five years, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community honestly shared her sentiments.
The problem is the unfair treatment for leaders like her. She expressed her personal experiences on how others typically disregard her viewpoints and perceive her as an inadequate leader for the community only because of her gender representation.
According to Kristle, within her term she persevered through her sworn duties to demonstrate gender equality.
“Sa loob ng limang taon kong panunungkulan naging masigasig ako sa tungkulin na maipamulat ko sa kanila na dapat maging pantay ang pagtingin natin sa isa’t isa. Na hindi ibig sabihin na nasa LGBTQ+ community kami, titingin na lang tayo sa panlabas na kaanyuan. Kaya nga mayroon tayong gender equality ay upang ipakita ang pagkakapantay-pantay na pagtingin sa kapwa tao,” she recalled.
Similarly, the 48-year-old Barangay Councilor of Purok 1, Santol, Marinduque—Edelor Moreno, who’s been in politics for seven years, mirrors a similar sentiment.
“Gender discrimination, dahil sa tingin ng ibang tao ay hindi kayang mamuno ng isang babae sa larangan ng politika. Dahil iniisip nilang walang kakayahang makapag-desisyon at manindigan,” the counselor said. Furthermore, it was revealed in her answers that even women’s emotional state sometimes can affect this particular issue in politics. “Halimbawa, ang mood swing ng mga babae ay nakakasagabal sa paggawa ng lohikal desisyon.”
Likewise, for SK Christa, one of her biggest challenges faced as a female SK Chair was the process of overcoming the reality of preconceived notions about women in leadership. The chairwoman stressed that some individuals initially doubted her capabilities or dismissed her opinions simply because of her gender.
“I addressed this by consistently demonstrating my competence, actively seeking collaboration, and building strong relationships with community members. Another challenge is balancing my responsibilities as SK Chair with my personal life, which often require extra effort in time management and prioritization,” she admitted.
Yet, despite of several discouraging moments she experienced, SK Christa still believes that politics is not wholly begrimed. While she acknowledges that there are instances of corruption and unethical behavior in politics, she doesn’t believe that this defines the entire system. “I firmly believe in transparency and accountability in governance. My commitment is to uphold the highest ethical standards in my role as SK Chairperson, ensuring that all decisions are made in the best interests of the community,” she said.
Empowering Her
Differences might take wee steps for society to perceive and feel. But that smallest progress when consistent can change the world. There is hope when we have it within us.
According to the data of UNDP Philippines, the Philippines holds a prominent position in global gender equality, as reflected in its Gender Development Index (GDI). Nowadays, we can see a significant movement toward equality in government. Slowly by slowly, women can lead. Women can speak what’s on their minds and do something about it. Women can contradict and tell for what is wrong and fight for what is right.
“Kailangan mahalin natin ang sarili natin bago ang ibang tao. Ipagpatuloy ang magandang nasimulan upang tularan ng nagsisipag-usbong na mga bagong kabataan,” the former councilor Kristle shared her message to those who are aspiring female politicians in this generation. That leaders cannot change a toxic mindset if it is the people who refuse to open their eyes and sharpen their minds to welcome foreign beliefs and broaden their understanding that could be culturally and politically significant.
Like a root clinging to its dead body, continuing to live in the same old way. “Tuloy lang sa buhay at gawing inspirasyon ang mga taong naniniwala sa iyo at sa kakayahan mo,” she ended.
Similarly, for ex-Mayor Madrigal, “Ang mga babae ay matalino, matatag at malapit sa Diyos. Compassionate. Ang puso ng babae ay may kakayanang magmahal ng lubos at nararamdaman ito. Kailangan lamang nating patatagin ang [ating] kakayanan, ang paglilingkod na nagmumula sa puso. Lapatan ng pagmamahal at katapatan at sakripisyo para sa ikabubuti ng kapwa at pamayanan,” she happily expressed.
Leadership knows no gender. It is not about the age, but the capabilities and the strong will to follow and maneuver the wheel to societal progress and further lead your fellows along with the motivation to create a just leadership. May we continue empowering women, and support government initiatives advocating for rights and development.
Encouraging more women to participate in leadership, whether in school where it starts, to barangay level and higher, is not merely about the representation of females in politics. But, building a more inclusive and progressive future waiting for each of us. When young women are given opportunities to lead, they can be empowered and paint a future with a heart for service and enrichen the spirit of togetherness for their people. Women also reflect a public service with the power and eagerness to make a change.
Thus, shall we be reminded at all times that women are not ‘lang.’ Women are more. With our capabilities, decision making skills, goodwill, and competence. With our flaws and imperfections, faults and all. It is high time to break the barriers and welcome women’s limitless roles in our society.
Mabuhay ang mga kababaihan. Sapagkat kailanman ay hindi mahihigitan ang pagiging babae.
