Rural Women Status Report on CEDAW 2011

Governance&GAD

PKKK Thematic Papers_5

Representation and Participation in Governance and

Implementation of Gender and Development (GAD)
The Magna Carta of Women is framed in the context of CEDAW. It defines Gender and
Development (GAD) as development perspective and process that are participatory and
empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights,
supportive of self determination and actualization of human potentials. It seeks to achieve
gender equality as a fundamental value that should be reflected in development choices;
seeks to transform societys social, economic, and political structures and questions the
validity of gender roles they ascribed to women and men; contends that women are active
agents of development and not just passive recipients of development assistance; and
stresses the need of women to organize themselves and participate in political processes to
strengthen their legal rights.
There are several laws pro-actively promoting and protecting the rights of women. And yet,
womens important role and contribution in development and nation building are not yet
fully recognized. Rural women are often treated at the sidelines. Their representation and
participation in different local development councils and special bodies has been dismal.
PKKK
cited several factors contributing to gender inequality in governance and
participation: (1) the traditional notion that womens role is always in the house, still
proliferates in rural communities; (2) women commonly exhibit low confidence and selfesteem because the society considered them inferior in terms of decision-making, or being
discouraged and prevented by their husbands or fathers from joining organizations or any
political undertaking; (3) lack of information on CEDAW, law on gender equality, programs,
resources and services not only of rural women but also local government officials and policy
implementers; (4) men still dominate in the elective positions and leadership structure; (5)
womens participation in local elections are often impeded by traditional politics and nonaccreditation due to inconsistent processes/guidelines rigid requirements.
The following are some of PKKKs gender inequality experiences:

In Bukidnon, women are marginalized in their community due to lack of information

on where and how to access resources and services. Inferiority complex is also
common that deterred many rural women to approach government officials.
PKKK rural women who are assertive in challenging existing governance structures
and mechanisms to be gender responsive are being labeled as subversive.
In the communities, the PKKK leaders were the ones who introduced and oriented
their barangay officials about CEDAW as well as the GAD budget. Indeed, many
government personnel and local officials are also not familiar with CEDAW and even
those assigned as GAD focal point have vague understanding on how to mainstream
gender. There are still many barangays that do not comply and spend the budget
properly. There are instances when GAD plans are just formulated for the sake of
compliance, without undergoing thorough gender analysis. As a result, programs and
services do not fit with the actual needs of women.
PKKK leaders realized that the flow of resources and priorities is more often based on
patronage politics. It depends on ones connection/affiliation with the chief
executive or with the Barangay Captain, the Mayor or Governor. As to whether the
organization is an identified ally of the current official or administration and/or a
government organized association (e.g. RIC, ARC cooperative etc.) where resources
are usually infused or concentrated.

Rural Women Status Report on CEDAW 2011

Governance&GAD

PKKK Thematic Papers_5

Local development councils like the Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resource
Management Council or BFARMCs are dominated by men. Women are often
designated either as treasurer or auditor. In tribal communities, men generally
dominate the leadership structure. And since tribal leaders are being consulted on
delicate matters, womens voice/opinions are more often unheard, hence not
considered.

Gender Equality Milestones

It might be notably dismal, however there are also significant milestones on promoting
gender equality that encourage and inspire rural women to continue their struggle. Ka Iska,
a farmer leader in Baler, Aurora and now a barangay council member, was able to convince
colleagues to formulate a GAD program for Barangay Suklayin, to ensure proper allocation of
the GAD budget. Come 2010 local election, she would be willing to assist newly elected
officials in drafting the GAD plan and budget. Likewise, PKKK Provincial Coalition contributed
in drafting the Youth Code of Baler and now works for the passage of GAD Code for Aurora.
PKKK president Ka Trining Domingo, an agrarian reform beneficiary, is vying for a seat in
PARC. At the local level, women farmer leaders are also encouraged to apply and become
members of the Barangay Agrarian Reform Council (BARC).
The Teduray Lambangian Womens Organization Inc. (TLWOI) members actively participate
in political processes, including elections. In the October 2007 local/barangay elections, four
(4) were elected from the ten (10) TWLOI members who filed their candidacies. For this 2010
presidential/ national elections, TLWOI untiringly provided voters education especially in the
light of the new automated election system (AES) and in the context of the prevailing
illiteracy rate among fellow Tdurays. The group also supported candidates who promoted
the agenda of IPs rights, peace, and development in the region and was able to maximize
the election period as strategy for promoting the indigenous peoples agenda and
establishing the presence of the Tduray Lambangian women in the political sphere. (PKKKTLWOI-CSI UNJP 2010 Terminal Report)
In Bohol, PKKK is a member NGO that participated in pushing for the passage of GAD Code in
the Province. The Provincial GAD Code was passed on September 01, 2009 under Ordinance
2009-18.
Several PKKK women leaders took chances in running for barangay posts. (Luckily, some of
them won in the barangay official seats, around 10% of those who ran for office.)
Many women officials and representatives have been elected and seated in different
electorate and leadership structures. However, only few local officials genuinely represent
womens concern. Having a woman official does not necessarily mean that she would
automatically be a gender champion. Hence, there is a crucial need for rural women to
organize and consolidate to give voice to the sector and demand attention and response
from government agencies, institutions and local government units (LGUs). Also, they should
be involved in local development councils (e.g. BDC, BARC, M/BFARMC etc.) and special
bodies to promote gender equality and comprehensively integrate womens concern in
development and budget planning, formulation, implementation and decision making
processes.

Rural Women Status Report on CEDAW 2011

Governance&GAD

PKKK Thematic Papers_5

At the same time, push government agencies and LGUs to formulate the GAD plan with
corresponding budget allocation of at least five percent (5%) of total budget appropriations,
so that rural women could readily access. PKKKs membership to Inter-agency Task Force on
Rural Women opens a new opportunity to advocate and participate in GAD budget planning,
formulation, implementation and monitoring that promote rural women empowerment.

Rural Women Status Report on CEDAW 2011

Governance&GAD

Participation
in local
special bodies
& GAD
utilization
a. Increased
participation
of
marginalized
/poor rural
women in
the
governance
bodies

Laws/Policies/ Programs
that Promote Gender
Equality
CEDAW
Article
14
emphasized
the
government should ensure
that appropriate measures
are
undertaken
to
eliminate
discrimination
against women in rural
areas. On the basis of
equality,
rural
women
should
be
able
to
participate
and
benefit
from rural development.
Republic Act 7192 or the
Women in Development
and Nation Building Act,
promotes the integration of
women as full and equal
partners
of
men
in
development and nation
building;
directs
all
government agencies to
introduce measures that
would eliminate gender
biases
in
government
policies,
programs
and
projects.
The
1991
Local
Government
Code
recognizes the importance
of sectoral representatives
in the Sanggunian. Three
seats shall be allotted
composed
of one
(1)
sectoral
representative
from the women, one (1)
from the workers, and one
(1) from any of the
following
sectors:
the
urban poor, indigenous
cultural
communities,
disabled persons, or any
other sector as maybe
determined
by
the

PKKK Thematic Papers_5

Laws / Policies/
Practices/ Programs
that Hinder Gender
Equality

Recommendation
from PKKK based on
GRRWDP
Conduct womens
assembly to be
participated in by all
women organizations
in the
province/city/municipal
ity, to discuss the
various entry points for
peoples/womens
participation in local
governance;
Inventory of LGUs that
have convened the
womens assembly;
Monitoring of
accredited groups of
women and assess
sectoral
representations;
Review or Legislate
GAD Codes that
incorporate and
observe provisions of
the Magna Carta of
Women (especially
Chapter V on
marginalized women)
Capacity building for
all women
organizations in
relation to local
governance
Inventory of LGUs with
GAD Codes and
respective IRRs;
Monitoring if
appropriate
complementation with
the MCW have been
carried out
Set-up grievance
4

Rural Women Status Report on CEDAW 2011

Governance&GAD
sanggunian concerned.
Indigenous Peoples Rights
Act of 1997 (RA 8371)
Chapter V (Social Justice
and
Human
Rights)
Section 26 on Women,
ascertains
the
participation
of
indigenous
women
in
decision making process
in all levels, as well as in
the
development
of
society, shall be given due
respect and recognition;
Chapter VII (NCIP) Section
50 on Consultative Body
mandates the NCIP from
time to time, to constitute
an
advisory
body
consisting of traditional
leaders,
elders
and
representatives from the
women and youth sectors
of the different ICCs/IPs.

PKKK Thematic Papers_5

mechanisms for
womens organizations
that have been
discriminated in the
process of seeking
accreditation or
participation in local
special bodies;
Audited financial
statements should be
optional for
organizations applying
for accreditation; this
should be waived for
women organizations
representing the
marginalized sectors

The Philippine Fisheries

Code of 1998 (RA 8550)
rticle II on the Fisheries and
Aquatic
Resource
Management
Council
(FARMCs); the composition
of
Municipal
or
City
FARMCs
(MFARMC/CFARMC), as well
as the Integrated FARMCs
(IFARMCs) shall include
fisherfolk representatives
from youth and women
sector.
RA 9700 or CARP Extension
with
Reforms
Bill
or
CARPER Bill, affirms the
rights of women farmers.
Under
Section
2
on
Declaration of Principles
5

Rural Women Status Report on CEDAW 2011

Governance&GAD

PKKK Thematic Papers_5

and Policies; Section 17

regarding the composition
of the Presidential Agrarian
Reform Council
Magna Carta of Women (RA
9710)
stipulates
under
Chapter IV on Rights and
Empowerment, in Section
11 and Section 25
b. Equitable
utilization of
the GAD
budget
resources

Section 28 of the General

Appropriations Act (GAA)
from 1995 to 2000, directs
all government entities to
allocate a minimum of 5
percent of their yearly
budget (referred to as the
GAD Budget) for genderresponsive projects
wherein a GAD Plan should
have been formulated.

Reporting of the GAD

plan and budget to a
Barangay Womens
Assembly; ensuring
participation of all
existing peoples
organizations
Issue guidelines on
Barangay accounting
and reporting of the
GAD Plan and Budget
(DILG/PCW)

Executive Order (EO) 273

requires all government
agencies to incorporate
Gender and Development
(GAD)
concerns
in
planning,
programming
and budgeting processes;
this should be in line with
the goals and objectives of
the Philippine Plan for
Gender-Responsive
Development (PPGD, 19952025)
Local Budget Memorandum
No. 28 instructs local
government
units
to
mobilize
resources
to
mainstream
and
implement
gender
and
development
programs
using the five percent
development fund.
c. Increased
number of
rural women
holding

CEDAW Articles 7 affirms

womens right to vote, run
for election and hold public
office at all levels of

Capacity building for

women leaders who
display interest and
potential to

Design training
program for women
leaders in politics; tap
non-government
6

Rural Women Status Report on CEDAW 2011

Governance&GAD
elective
positions

government.
It
also
encourages
women
to
participate
in
nongovernment organizations
and
associations
concerned with the public
and political life of the
country.

PKKK Thematic Papers_5

participate in local
governance and
politics.

organizations to train
rural women who plan
to engage local
(barangay/municipal)
elections.

The Magna Carta and its accompanying IRR should be disseminated and properly explained.
With respect to development councils and planning bodies, the bill prescribes for at least
forty percent (40%) of membership of all development councils from the regional, provincial,
city, municipal and barangay levels shall be composed of women. Moreover, the law
mandates the representation of womens groups in international, national and local special
and decision making bodies.
Lastly, it is high time to pass a bill on Local Sectoral Representation so that women could
substantially participate in the local councils. Moreover, resources supporting womens
organizations should not only be lodged to those organized by the government but to other
groups as well. Rural women should be provided with livelihood opportunities and a training
program that could enhance their leadership potentials. Government programs and services
must not only be gender sensitive but also culturally sensitive. It must value peoples
participation and transparency.