Women and Education
Student Learning Outcomes
• By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Identify the major problems women face in the education sector
2. Explain the value of equality in education for women
3. Name the policies that protect the rights of women in education
Overview
• Women’s access to education has improved globally, yet disparities
persist in many regions due to social, economic, and cultural barriers.
International Context:
• In Afghanistan, girls face restrictions on secondary and higher education.
• In parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, girls are more likely to drop out due to early
marriage and household responsibilities.
Philippine Context:
• The Philippines has relatively high female literacy rates.
• However, women are still underrepresented in STEM fields and leadership
roles in academia.
Gender and Education
Key Concepts
• Gender equality in education means equal access, participation, and
outcomes for all genders.
• Hidden curriculum: Gender biases embedded in teaching materials and
practices.
Examples:
• International: Textbooks in some countries depict men as leaders and
women as caregivers.
• Philippines: Subtle stereotyping persists (e.g., boys encouraged toward
engineering, girls toward caregiving professions).
The Importance of Education: An
International Perspective
Why Education Matters
• Reduces poverty
• Improves health outcomes
• Promotes gender equality
• Drives economic growth
Global Data
• UNESCO reports that each additional year of schooling for girls increases future
earnings by up to 20%.
Example
• In Bangladesh, educating girls has significantly reduced child marriage rates.
Philippine Laws on Gender-Responsive and
Gender-Fair Education
Key Laws and Policies
• 1987 Philippine Constitution
• Guarantees equal access to education for all citizens.
• Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women)
• Ensures women's rights in all sectors, including education.
• Republic Act 10533 (Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013)
• Promotes inclusive and gender-sensitive curriculum.
• DepEd Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy (DepEd Order No.
32, s. 2017)
• Institutionalizes gender-responsive practices in schools.
Gender and Development (GAD) Markers in
Education
Definition
• GAD markers assess how well programs integrate gender equality
principles.
Key Indicators
• Gender-sensitive curriculum
• Equal participation rates
• Safe learning environments
Philippine Context
• Schools allocate at least 5% of their budget to GAD programs.
Gender Issues in Education
Major Problems Women Face:
• Access Barriers
• Poverty, distance, lack of infrastructure
• Example: Rural girls in developing countries walk long distances to school
• Cultural Norms
• Early marriage, preference for educating boys
• Example: South Asia
• Gender-Based Violence
• Harassment in schools discourages attendance
• Example: Reports of school-related gender-based violence globally
Gender Issues in Education (cont.)
• Stereotyping
• Limited career pathways
• Example: Women discouraged from STEM
• Digital Gender Divide
• Less access to technology
• Example: During COVID-19, girls had less access to online learning tools
Philippine Context
• Teenage pregnancy affects school completion
• Gender bias still present in career guidance
Value of Equality in Education for Women
Key Points
• Promotes economic independence
• Enhances decision-making power
• Improves family and community well-being
• Strengthens democratic participation
Example:
• Educated women in the Philippines are more likely to participate in
governance and leadership roles.
Policies Protecting Women's Rights in
Education
International Policies
• CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women)
• UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality)
• Philippine Policies
• Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710)
• Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877)
• Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313)
Future Steps: Looking Forward
Recommendations
• Strengthen gender-sensitive curricula
• Promote women in STEM fields
• Address gender-based violence in schools
• Increase funding for GAD programs
• Encourage community involvement
Vision
• An inclusive education system where all genders have equal opportunities
to learn, lead, and succeed.
Women and Work in the
Philippines
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
• Identify the major problems women face in the labor and livelihood
sectors
• Explain the value of equality in the sphere of work and labor for
women
• List the policies that protect women’s rights in work and livelihood
Women and Work in the Philippines
Overview
• Women play a vital role in the Philippine economy, contributing to
both formal and informal sectors. Despite progress, gender disparities
persist in wages, job opportunities, and working conditions.
Key Insight
• Filipino women have high labor force participation compared to some
Asian countries, yet inequality remains in leadership and high-paying
jobs.
Women in the Productive Sphere
Definition
• The productive sphere includes paid work and economic activities contributing to GDP.
• Examples
• Women in corporate sectors, education, healthcare, and government
• Growing number of female entrepreneurs
Issues
• Gender wage gap (women often earn less than men)
• Glass ceiling in leadership roles
• Occupational segregation (e.g., women concentrated in care work)
Philippine Example
• Women dominate the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry but are
underrepresented in executive roles.
Migrant Women
Overview
• Millions of Filipino women work abroad as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Common Jobs
• Domestic helpers
• Caregivers
• Nurses
Challenges
• Vulnerability to abuse and exploitation
• Separation from families
• Legal protection varies by host country
Example
• Domestic workers in the Middle East may face contract violations or restricted mobility.
Women in the Informal Sector
Definition
• Work that is not regulated or protected by the state (no formal contracts or benefits).
Examples
• Street vendors
• Home-based workers
• Small-scale farmers
Issues
• No job security
• Lack of social protection (e.g., SSS, PhilHealth)
• Low and unstable income
Philippine Context
• Many women engage in informal work to balance household responsibilities.
Domestic Work and Domestic Workers
Overview
• Domestic work includes household services such as cleaning, cooking, and
caregiving.
Issues
• Low wages
• Long working hours
• Vulnerability to abuse
Philippine Law
• RA 10361 (Domestic Workers Act / Batas Kasambahay)
• Ensures minimum wage, rest periods, and social benefits for domestic workers
The Sex Trade
Overview
• Includes prostitution, trafficking, and other forms of sexual exploitation.
Issues
• Exploitation and violence
• Health risks
• Human trafficking
Philippine Context
• Poverty and lack of opportunities push some women into this sector
Relevant Law
• RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003)
Women and the Domestic Sphere
Definition
• Unpaid labor within the household (childcare, cooking, cleaning).
Key Insight
• Women perform the majority of unpaid care work.
Issues
• Work is undervalued and invisible in economic statistics
• Limits women’s participation in paid work
Example
• During COVID-19, Filipino women took on increased caregiving responsibilities.
Major Problems Women Face in Labor and
Livelihood
Wage Inequality
• Women earn less than men for similar work
Job Insecurity
• Especially in informal and contractual work
Workplace Discrimination
• Hiring bias, promotion barriers
Gender-Based Violence and Harassment
• Occurs in workplaces and abroad
Double Burden
• Balancing paid work and unpaid domestic responsibilities
Limited Access to Resources
• Credit, training, and technology
Value of Equality in Work and Labor
Why It Matters
• Promotes economic growth and productivity
• Reduces poverty and inequality
• Enhances women’s empowerment and independence
• Improves family welfare and education outcomes
Example:
• Gender-equal workplaces show higher innovation and better
performance.
Policies Protecting Women’s Rights in Work
and Livelihood
Philippine Laws
• 1987 Constitution
• Guarantees equal work opportunities
• RA 9710 (Magna Carta of Women)
• Comprehensive women’s rights law
• RA 6725
• Prohibits discrimination in employment
• RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act)
• RA 11210 (Expanded Maternity Leave Law)
• RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act)
• Protects against harassment in public and workplaces
• RA 10361 (Batas Kasambahay)
• RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act)
Future Steps: Looking Forward
Recommendations
• Strengthen enforcement of labor laws
• Expand social protection for informal workers
• Promote women’s leadership in all sectors
• Provide skills training and access to finance
• Recognize and redistribute unpaid care work
Vision
• A labor system where women and men have equal opportunities, fair
wages, and safe working environments.
Women and Violence
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
• Identify the various forms of violence against women
• Explain how even subtle forms of violence affect women
• Articulate ways to prevent violence against women
Violence Against Women (VAW)
Overview
• Violence against women (VAW) is a major human rights issue and
public health concern worldwide. It affects women regardless of age,
socio-economic status, or nationality.
Global and Philippine Context
• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 3 women
globally experience violence in their lifetime.
• In the Philippines, cases of domestic violence, online harassment, and
trafficking remain significant concerns.
Defining Violence Against Women
Definition
• According to the United Nations, VAW refers to:
“Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in,
physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women.”
Key Point
• VAW is rooted in gender inequality and power imbalances.
Types of Violence Against Women
1. Physical Violence
• Hitting, slapping, choking
• Example: Domestic abuse by an intimate partner
2. Sexual Violence
• Rape, sexual assault, coercion
• Example: Workplace sexual exploitation
3. Psychological/Emotional Violence
• Verbal abuse, threats, humiliation
• Example: Constant belittling by a partner
Types of Violence Against Women
4. Economic Violence
• Controlling finances, denying access to resources
• Example: Preventing a woman from working
5. Digital/Online Violence
• Cyber harassment, stalking, sharing private images
• Example: Non-consensual sharing of photos
6. Structural and Cultural Violence
• Harmful norms and practices
• Example: Victim-blaming attitudes
The Impacts of VAW
Physical Effects
• Injuries, chronic health problems
Psychological Effects
• Anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem
Social Effects
• Isolation, damaged relationships
Economic Effects
• Loss of employment or productivity
Example
• A woman experiencing workplace harassment may suffer anxiety, leading
to decreased performance or job loss.
Subtle Forms of Violence and Their Effects
What Are Subtle Forms?
• Not all violence is physical. Some are normalized and less visible.
Examples
• Sexist jokes and remarks
• Catcalling and street harassment
• Controlling behavior disguised as “care”
• Gaslighting (manipulating someone to doubt themselves)
Why They Matter
• Reinforce inequality and normalize abuse
• Cause emotional distress and fear
• Can escalate into more severe forms of violence
Philippine Example
• Catcalling in public spaces, addressed under the Safe Spaces Act
Laws on Violence Against Women
Philippine Laws
• RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004)
• Covers physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse
• RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act or Bawal Bastos Law)
• Addresses street, online, and workplace harassment
• RA 8353 (Anti-Rape Law of 1997)
• RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act)
• RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act)
International Frameworks
• CEDAW
• UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Prevention and Response
Prevention Strategies
• Education and Awareness
• Gender sensitivity training
• School-based programs
• Strengthening Laws and Enforcement
• Proper implementation of existing laws
• Community Involvement
• Encourage reporting and support systems
• Empowerment of Women
• Access to education and employment
• Engaging Men and Boys
• Promote respectful behavior and equality
Response Mechanisms
• Reporting to authorities (PNP Women and Children Protection Desks)
• Access to shelters and hotlines
• Counseling and legal assistance
Philippine Example:
• Barangay Protection Orders (BPOs) under RA 9262 provide immediate
protection for victims
Future Steps: Looking Forward
Key Directions
• Improve access to justice for victims
• Expand digital safety measures
• Strengthen institutional support systems
• Promote cultural change against gender-based violence
Representation of Women in the
Arts and Media
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
• Explain the classical representation and self-perception of women in
the arts
• State the influence of mass media in shaping the current
objectification of women
Overview: Women in Arts and Media
Key Idea
• Art and media do not just reflect reality—they shape how society
sees women and how women see themselves.
Core Issue
• Persistent objectification and stereotyping
• Underrepresentation of women as creators and decision-makers
Women in Western Art: The Beginning of
Female Objectification?
Classical Representation
• Women were often depicted as:
• Passive
• Nude or idealized
• Objects of male desire
Concept: The “Male Gaze”
• Coined by Laura Mulvey
• Art created from a heterosexual male perspective, portraying women as objects to be
looked at
Examples
• Paintings like “Venus of Urbino” (Titian) and “Olympia” (Manet)
• Women shown reclining, submissive, and sexualized
Women in Western Art: The Beginning of
Female Objectification?
Impact on Self-Perception
• Women internalize unrealistic beauty standards
• Pressure to conform to “ideal” body types
• Reduced sense of agency (seen as objects rather than subjects)
Women in Advertising
Common Portrayals
• Women as:
• Homemakers
• Sex symbols
• Decorative objects
International Example:
• Ads using women’s bodies to sell unrelated products (e.g., cars, alcohol)
Philippine Context:
• Skin-whitening products reinforcing colonial beauty standards
• Ads portraying women primarily as caregivers or beautified figures
Impact
• Reinforces gender roles
• Promotes consumerism tied to appearance
Women in Film and the Film Industry
On-Screen Representation
• Stereotypical roles:
• Love interest
• Damsel in distress
• Femme fatale
Behind the Scenes
• Underrepresentation of female directors, producers, and writers
Example
• Hollywood: Gender imbalance in leadership roles
• Philippines: Increasing female directors, but still limited compared to men
Effect
• Stories about women often told from male perspectives
Women and Sexualization
Definition
• Sexualization occurs when a person’s value is reduced to their sexual appeal.
Examples
• Music videos emphasizing women’s bodies
• Social media trends focusing on physical appearance
Consequences
• Objectification
• Body image issues
• Increased tolerance of harassment
Beauty as a Weapon Against Women
Key Idea
• Beauty standards can control and limit women rather than empower them.
Mechanisms
• Pressure to invest time and money in appearance
• Judgment based on looks rather than ability
Example
• Workplace bias favoring “attractive” women but also penalizing them for it
Beauty and the Western Ideal
Characteristics
• Fair skin
• Slim body
• Eurocentric facial features
Philippine Context
• Colonial mentality influencing beauty standards
• Popularity of skin-lightening products and cosmetic procedures
Impact
• Marginalization of diverse beauty
• Lower self-esteem among those who don’t fit the ideal
Reclaiming the Media
Positive Shifts
• Rise of feminist art and media
• Diverse representation (body positivity, inclusivity)
Examples:
• Films and series with strong female leads
• Social media campaigns promoting natural beauty (#BodyPositivity)
• Filipino creators highlighting morena beauty and local identity
Importance
• Gives women agency over their narratives
• Challenges stereotypes and objectification
Influence of Mass Media on Objectification
How Media Shapes Perception
• Normalization of Objectification
• Repeated exposure makes it seem acceptable
• Internalization
• Women adopt these standards as personal goals
• Reinforcement of Gender Roles
• Limits opportunities and expectations
• Impact on Behavior
• Affects how women are treated in society
Example
• Constant portrayal of women as sexual objects influences attitudes in real-life
interactions
Key Takeaways
1. Classical art laid the foundation for objectifying representations of
women
2. Media continues to reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and
gender roles
3. These representations affect women’s self-image and societal
treatment
4. However, media can also be a tool for empowerment and change