GENDER EQUALITY
By Justine Maree P. Santos
The Philippines is quite famous for being a familial country, in a sense
that all families, whether big or small are closely knit. Some go to the extent
of living together despite the voluminous expansion of familythe members in
said family. According to the Philippine Commission on Women,: The
Philippines is among the most populous countries in the world, ranking 12th
globally, 7th in Asia, and 2nd in the Southeast Asia. Its population continues
to increase with an annual growth rate of 1.90 percent. (Philippine
Commission on Women) In the Highlights on Household Population, Number
of Households, and Average Household Size of the Philippines Research
Conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority,: The household population
of the Philippines reached 100.57 million persons in 2015, t. This is 8.48
million higher than the 92.10 million household population reported in 2010,
and 24.24 million more than the 76.33 million household population posted
in 2000. TAnd the household population comprised 99.6 percent of the total
Philippine population, while the remaining 0.4 percent is comprised of the
institutional population or those residing in collective or institutional living
quarters such as hospitals, orphanages, and military camps; and Filipinos in
Philippine embassies, consulates, and missions abroad. Gender equality can
be traced back to these strong family ties. The mother of a family is, more
often than not, the one everyone turns to for care and comfort. She is
always the source of strength for all the members of the family and she is
the one often referred to for solutions in recent problems. To simplify the
aforementioned facts and statements, the mother of a family is the most
respected and sought after member of the familys core.
Commented [1]:
What is the relation of the blowing population of the
country to the problem at hand? Answer: It correlates
to the fact that every growing male Filipino is aware of
the importance of respect for ones mother, hence
directly translating to respect to other women and a
chance to advocate and promulgate gender equality.
What is the relation of the family too? Is t because of
poor family ties thats why we are not progressing?
Answer: First of all, gender equality is the topic. Dont
be so stupid to put up the poor family ties in this
particular area. Family is everyones first school. It is
where you learn your basic core values. One of which
is respect for life, and respect for others. So, to answer
your question, Mr. Know-it-all, Everything stated herein
is related to the topic at hand.
Commented [2]:
Commented [3]:
What is the relation of the mother and the problem? Is
the mother the reason why we havent sill achieved yet
equality and equity in the Philippines? Answer: Phrase
your question better sir. The yet is not necessary if it
is preceded by still. They are one and the same when
used in context. Secondly, let us face it, gender
equality is advocated for women to get the same
opportunities as men. Dont you think that ones
mother, who will be the basis for how one treats other
women for the rest of ones life, is an irrelevant matter
when talking about gender equality?
 To preface the main topic of this editorial article, one must first discern
the difference between equality, the main topic of this selection, and equity,
the most often misunderstood substitute of equality. Equality is treating
everyone the same while equity is giving everyone what they need to be
successful. Equality aims to promote fairness, but it can only work if
everyone starts from the same place and needs the same help. Equity
appears unfair, but it actively moves everyone closer to success by leveling
the playing field. (George Washington University Public Health Online) Commented [4]:
APA Citing. Who wrote it? If non, what website then
The World Health Organization also expounded upon and illuminated the year posted. Answer: Noted

usually misunderstood idealism of equity by citing, in its health system

mandate that: equity is "the absence of avoidable or remediable differences
among groups of people, whether those groups are defined socially,
economically, demographically or geographically." (World Health
Organization.) Commented [5]:
What year posted?

A simple, albeit concise illustration of the difference between equality

and equity is the depiction of two scenarios where three children, of varied
height and, presumably, age, are watching a game of baseball but was being
blocked by a tall fence. It is to be noted that the first kid is significantly taller
than the two others, and the third one is shorter than the second kid. The
left side of the illustration exemplifies equality, the three boys are each
given an equally sized box to stand on so that they may see the game. The
tallest amongst them, who already has a clear view of the game despite not
having a box to stand on, got a better view. The second kid, the one of
average height relative to his two contemporaries, cannot see the game
before the arrival of the box where he can stand onto. After the arrival of the
box, and the second kid already stood on said box, he can now see the view
of the baseball game that is being played currently in front of them. The
third kid, the shortest among the two aforementioned kids, who before the
arrival of his equally shared box, cannot see the baseball game, still cannot
see the game being played in front of him despite the use of a box to stand
on due to his significant height disadvantage relative to the fence standing
against him. In summary, the use of equality in this sense, is fair but not
quite just because not all can see the baseball game they want to see. The
illustration however, has a second side. The second side deals with equity
but still using the scenario of the three kids watching a baseball game. It
shows that the first kid who, with his above average height, can see the
game, is not anymore given a box to stand on. The second kid who, before
the giving of the box cant see the game, is still given his one box to stand
on for him to see the baseball game. Finally, the third kid who, despite
standing on one box, still cant see the game being played in front of him, is
now given the box that is not being used by the tallest kid. Now with two
boxes to stand on, he can see the game along with his compatriots. Equity,
in simple terms, afforded all those kids appropriate scenarios, which might
not seem fair to the eyes of others but is, in theory, just amongst them. Commented [6]:
I love the example here. Is it possible if this could be
summarized? Answer: You asked for 1000 words. I
Albert Einstein once said,: Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a think it is but fair to give you a hefty paragraph rather
than what you are requesting now?
fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is
stupid. Gender equality does not necessarily say that one should be treating
a woman, the same way one treats a man. Fairness between genders
doesnt mean that everyone should become the same. The end goal is not
for men and women to reach a complete genderless state. It means that
men and women should be given the same opportunities to succeed despite
their differences. (United Nations Population Fund) Equality aims to promote Commented [7]:
What year posted?
fairness, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and
needs the same help. Equity appears unfair, but it actively moves everyone
Commented [8]:
In your conclusion, I dont see the relevance of family
closer to success by leveling the playing field. anymore. How did the big population problem affects
gender equality? Answer: First and foremost, it is only
affect not affects, in your aforementioned question.
Secondly, tying an introductory thought in the end, is
highly irrelevant if the premise was previously laid
down in the introduction itself?
Sources: (Ja, i-APA mon a to. 3 website lang naman e.)

1.) http://www.unfpa.org/gender-equality (March 7, 2017)

2.) https://edtrust.org/the-equity-line/equity-and-equality-are-not-
equal/ (March 12, 2014)

3.) https://publichealthonline.gwu.edu/blog/equity-vs-equality/
(June 17, 2016)

4.) http://www.who.int/healthsystems/topics/equity/en/ (Access

date: April 13, 2017)